PORTLAND – Barbara Handlon Foster Minervino died on July 31, 2022 at her residence at Birchwoods at Canco, where she had lived since February. Her family had kept a week long vigil with her to make sure she was never alone.

Barbara was born April 18, 1931 at Goodall Hospital in Sanford, Maine, the daughter of Carl and Madelyn Handlon Foster. Although the family had no connection to Sanford, her father was doing a short work stint at the mill, and by chance she was born there. She grew up on Munjoy Hill as a child of the Great Depression. She and her siblings, Carl, Johnny and Suzanne lived in a triple flat on Quebec Street She often told stories of the milkman delivering by horse and carriage, the iceman delivering blocks of ice up to the apartments, snow sliding down a closed street to the Eastern Promenade, and ice skating at Deering Oaks. She attended Jack Junior and Portland High School.

She married Philip Foster (yes, the same last name) of South Portland in 1949. They had six children, Mary Patricia, Philip, Julie Anne, Madelyn Rose, Michelle Suzanne, and Daniel Paul. Philip passed away as an infant 3 months old. They purchased 74 Huntress Ave. in 1960 for $9,000. It was the center of family life for the next 42 years! Christmas and Thanksgiving were big fun events. Being close to Cash Corner, she was able to walk to work (she didn’t drive!) to Howdy’s and Lano’s Variety. She and Philip divorced in 1976, and she remarried to Thomas Minervino in 1977, that marriage ended in 1983. In 1976 she began a 22 year career at Maine Medical Center in the Central Supply Department, where she sterilized operating room equipment. She had a great affection for many of her co-workers at MMC. She retired in 1997.

Mom had many adventures and fun with her family, especially during retirement. She was a happy camper! Barbara spent many summers with her mother at her cottage in Lovell, Maine. Mom and Mary stayed at lakeside camps and especially loved their trips to Kingsbury Stream in Abbot, where they made trips to Moosehead Lake. Julie and mom camped at Twinbrooks on Little Sebago and Pemaquid. She even kept a small camper at Micki’s in Raymond on Notched Pond. She made lots of fun trips with her family. She attended her grandson Robbie’s wedding in Hawaii with Micki and Bob. She served as “Best man” at the wedding. Barbara saw shows in Las Vegas with her daughters, toured Boston and Fenway Park with grandsons Matt and Tim, tagged along on ski weeks at Sugarloaf with son Danny, and visited Florida with Julie and Laurie. She also attended the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City a few times! Going to eat out with the family was a regular event— the favorites being The Clambake, Taste of Maine, Becky’s, Dunstan Schoolhouse and Dysart’s. She and Michelle were regulars at Tony’s Donuts for bismarcks. She and Michelle (aka Mike) spent many afternoons at Bug Light and the Eastern Promenade and attended her grandson Matt’s theatrical productions often.

Mom made her home with her son Danny and his partner Glen for the past 14 years on Warwick St in Portland. She was often a co-pilot on his courier runs around New England. She took great care of her several Siberian husky grand-dogs! As of last summer, she was still climbing the pool ladder to swim at the age of 90.

She was predeceased by her parents, siblings, special son-in-law Steve LaBerge, beloved sister-in-law Sylvia Foster and dear friend Norma Tuell. Barbara is survived by her children and sons-in-law, Mary Amoroso, Barstow California. Julie Foster and Allan Folsom of Windham, Micki and Bob Parechanian of Portland and San Tan Valley, Ariz., Michelle LaBerge of South Portland, Daniel Foster and Glen Goodwin of Portland; grandchildren, Peter and Matt Amoroso, Scott and Laurie Daigle, Robbie, Casey and Amanda Parechanian, Tim and Matt LaBerge; and seven great-grandchildren !

Special thanks to Birchwoods at Canco and Northern Light Hospice for their loving care of our mother during her stay.

Visiting hours are at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd, South Portland on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 9 am to 11 a.m. A memorial service will follow. Please– colorful, casual summer attire !!

In lieu of flowers,

please consider a donation in her memory to:

Ronald McDonald House

250 Brackett St.

Portland, ME 04102 or:

Center for Grieving Children

555 Forest Ave.

Portland, ME 04101

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