KENNEBUNK — Barbara M. Tufts, 77, of Kennebunk, died Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the Kennebunk Center of Nursing and Rehabilitation after a lengthy illness with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Barbara was born in Portland, a daughter of Ronald C. and Doris (Meating) Irons Sr. and attended Kennebunk Schools.

Besides her primary career of mothering her six children, Barbara showed her love of cooking by working for S.A.D. 71, first as cook at the high school then as head cook at Consolidated School. Barbara also worked several years at K & E of Kennebunk. Her last place of employment, as lead cook, was with Monroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida.

Barbara married Samuel “Donald” Tufts Sr. in 1983 and then they moved to Florida until his passing in 1999 when she returned back to her native state of Maine.

In addition to Donald, Barbara is preceded in death by: her parents; grandson, Mark Lank; and her five siblings, Marjorie Jackson, Ronald Irons Jr., Joan Rose, Jean Brown and William Irons.

She is survived by: her six children, Katherine (Norm) Tardif, Jane Thurston, Robin (Ralph) Thurston-Vituccio, Diane (Bill) Lawrence, Richard Wormwood Jr., and Wendy (Mark) Lank; her grandchildren, Millie Gregor, Claire Thurston-Emmert, Jonathan, Andrew and Timothy Stevens and Danielle Lank Mallar; six great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Seed and Bean located at 154 Alfred Road, West Kennebunk.

Please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Barbara’s guest book and leave memories and condolences for the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name can be sent to: Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074; or The Activities Department at Kennebunk Center of Nursing and Rehabilitation, 158 Ross Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043.