ST. PAUL, Minn. – Barbara passed peacefully, at the age of 93, on Nov. 6, 2018 in St. Paul, Minn.

Born in Canton, Ohio July 16, 1925 to Marjorie (McBane) and William McIntosh, Barbara grew up with her two sisters outside of Wooster, Ohio. She led a life full of adventures. An early and life changing adventure came when she left the family farm and traveled by train to Philadelphia where she studied Art and design at Moore Institute of Art. Barbara loved to sew and focused on fashion drawing and design creating many beautiful pieces of clothing. Most students earned a “certificate” but Barbara chose to do the additional rigorous work to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1947. After a fun summer as a YMCA camp counselor on Lake George, N.Y., Barbara was offered a position teaching art at the University of Alabama.

After a few years teaching in Alabama, she moved back to Philadelphia where she worked in HR at Lit Brothers Department Store doing some design work and window displays for them as well. While attending a church supper, she met Dick Fleming. Dick was born and raised in Philadelphia, enlisted in the National Guard at age 17, served in North Africa and then Italy during WWII and had recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in biology. With the Korean conflict heating up Dick was called back to service. After a courtship of less than a year he proposed. They expected a stateside army assignment but instead Dick received orders to Korea. The wedding plans were accelerated and on May 25, 1952 they were married, followed by a “wedding trip” cross country for Dick’s deployment out of Seattle.

When Dick returned, he was assigned as a Paratroop Training Officer at Fort Bragg, N.C. where their first child, Anne was born in 1954. After another move, this time to Germany, Ellen came along in 1956, and Craig joined in the fun while they were still in Schweinfurt in 1958. Curt rounded out the team at Fort Benning, Ga. in 1959 giving Mother four children all under age five.

Several more duty stations followed including another 18-month tour in Korea. While Dad was deployed the family moved to Wooster, Ohio to be nearer Mother’s parents.

The next adventure turned out to be a perfect balance to the last one. Dad was sent to Maine as professor of military science in the ROTC department at Bowdoin College, an assignment that turned out to be ideal for both Mother and Daddy. Mother built a fulfilling life for her active family centered around the church, the college, and the military community. Dad was just the right personality for this position to bridge the Army and the college community at the height of the Viet Nam conflict so his assignment was extended for six years. In that time, they agreed that Brunswick would someday be their “forever” home.

The final move, with the army, was to California where Dad served at Fort Ord as liaison officer which required a six month tour in Viet Nam. This was especially hard on Mother with worry for Dad’s safety and the stress of running a household with two active pre-teens and two teenagers.

Dad’s retirement from a career that he truly loved was bittersweet as he retired to a yet unexplored life as a civilian. This brought them back to Maine, their “forever home”! Somehow Mother made an adventure out of living in our home on Upper Maine Street in Brunswick, as it was renovated from bottom to top – literally foundation to roof.

Barbara and Dick were active members of First Parish Church, Brunswick for nearly 50 years. Dick sang with the choir and served on the music committee. He found great joy in helping to oversee the restoration and re-tracking of the organ. Barbara enjoyed her service on the Hospitality Committee and assisting with the arts and crafts at many Vacation Bible School programs as well involvement in regional United Church of Christ committee service and many summer adventures as camp counselor for 10 year old girls, at UCC’s Pilgrim Lodge. Life did not slow much as her children moved on. She kept busy as ever hosting guests from all over the world and participation in American Assoc. of University Women, League of Women Voters, Regional Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Moore Institute of Art Alumni, Harpswell Garden Club, as well as several book clubs.

Travel also took Mother and Daddy to the far corners including London; the Holy Lands; peacetime travels in Italy; and a heritage trip for Mother to Scotland. This was in addition to many cross country trips to spend time at the homes of kids and grandkids.

Daddy passed away in 2005.

In 2010 Mother made the move to Minnesota to be nearer her two “favorite” kids. With the bulk of the family there and lots of visits from both coasts (Craig from Maine and Anne and family from Oregon) she enjoyed wonderful family times and was well cared for.

Barbara embraced her life of adventure and trials with grace and calm . . . the perfect officer’s wife, able to entertain with style and charm and keep the household running smoothly in every difficult situation. She instilled in her family the joy of family gatherings and the love and laughter shared.

Barbara is survived by her children Anne and Jim Simila of Monmouth, Ore., Ellen and Trudell Guerue of West St. Paul, Minn., Craig Fleming of Bath, L. Curtis and Ingrid Fleming of St. Paul, Minn.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Martha Hammond of Brandywine, Pa.

The family invites all whose lives were touched by Barbara to join us for a memorial service and reception Friday, July 19, 10 a.m. at the First Parish Church, Brunswick. Interment will be alongside her husband of 52 years, Col. Richard S. Fleming.

Gifts in memoriam may be given to: First Parish Church.