SPRINGVALE – Barbara Folsom Boyle, 95, passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at St. Andre Health Care in Biddeford.

She was born in Springvale on April 23, 1926, the daughter of Lysle W. and Mary (Rhodes) Folsom. She grew up in Springvale and graduated from Sanford High School, class of 1944. She graduated from Nasson College in 1948 and started her 36 years home economics teaching career at Beverly (Mass.) High School. She later taught foods and nutrition in Connecticut and Massachusetts, finishing up at Peabody (Mass.) High School in 1984. Having a lot of boys in her class they got to call her “Sarge.”

She married Frederick R. Boyle in Springvale June 28, 1964. They lived first in Reading, Mass. in a home that they enjoyed for 20 years on Grove Street while continuing their teaching careers. After their 1985 retirement, they moved into their home on Joy Street, Springvale.

Barbara also enjoyed summers at their cottage called SO-K on Mousam Lake, Acton. She spent most of her life at So-K which was originally built by her father and brother, Raleigh, in 1938. In her younger days, a good carpenter herself, she built a boat that she used at the lake. During the summer months Barbara and Fred were active at the Acton Congregational Church, UCC. Twice a regent of Mary Torr Chapter of the DAR in Rochester, N.H. she started a long-standing tradition of having the chapter meet at So-K for Flag Day She also was part of a two-table bridge night of four couples. The group is still active today although only two original members remain.

Barbara and Fred became world travelers with numerous trips to Europe, as well as South America, Australia, New Zealand, China, Russia, Israel, Egypt, and Greece. Cruises included trips to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Alaska, the Baltic Sea and Holland. The trips were always with good friends. Barbara was on the streets of London near Charing Cross, July 29, 1981, for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Two of her memorable trips were arranged by Rev. Dick Nordgren who at one time was interim pastor at North Parish Congregational Church. Barbara particularly enjoyed the trip to the Holy Land where the group toured and held periods of meditation. One place she often recalled was stopping for hymns and prayers on the Sea of Galilee.

In Sanford-Springvale Barbara was very active at North Parish Congregational Church where she was a deacon and served on the Abiding Memorial Committee. For many years she oversaw usher selection. Harking back to her Reading, Mass. church days she helped start Monday Niters at the church. Monday Niters was a social group that included a pot-luck supper and speakers. For many years Barbara served as president of the group. On one occasion the large group attended Magic of Christmas together in Portland. The group served an annual Thanksgiving dinner to the elderly and people in nursing homes who were brought to the church. Her other community involvement saw her take membership on the YMCA board, the Sanford Board of Appeals, and the Sanford Red Cross. Helping to set up a shelter in Wells during one hurricane she bravely set out on her own to get supplies from a local retailer while the winds were howling.

In 2011 Barbara was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Nasson College Alumni Association. The award cited her work on the original committee to establish the Nasson Heritage Center. She was also a long-time member of the Nasson College Alumni Board of Directors and Administrative Committee. As Volunteer Coordinator she was in charge of mailings and special events.

Once the Nasson Community Center was established Barbara became a board member. Given her gift of organizing she became the volunteer coordinator. She was also one of the principal fund-raisers for NCC and with her husband and Pat Baldwin put on monthly dances which attracted a good array of local dance-fanciers. Her catered New Year’s Eve parties, complete with a live-band were legendary. After physical impairment kept her from attending NCC board of director meetings she was made a life-long director.

She is survived by her husband Fred of Springvale; her stepdaughter, Meg Silver (Ben), of Waltham, Mass.; grandson, Samuel Silver of Waltham, Mass.; brother, Raleigh Folsom of Springvale, brother-in-law, Albert Boyle (Marilyn) of Burlington, Mass.; niece, Mary Ann Ratteree of Springvale, nephew, Mark Folsom (Shelley) of Somers, Conn.; four grand-nieces; and numerous close friends.

The family wishes to thank Barbara’s most recent care-givers, Sue Lachance, Jennifer Taylor and Priscilla Velandry, for their kind and loving care over the last few years. They also thank the staff of St. Andre Health Care for their tender care in Barbara’s last days.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions Barbara’s funeral arrangements will be delayed.

Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.

To leave a message of condolences visit http://www.blackfuneralhomes.com.

In her memory donations may be made to either

North Parish Congregational Church

895 Main St.

Sanford, ME 04073 or

Nasson Community Center

457 Main St.

Springvale, ME 04083

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