Barbara Alice (Hamell) Philbrick

CUMBERLAND – Barbara Alice (Hammell) Philbrick, 90, died peacefully in her home in Cumberland on July 10, 2024.

Barbara was born on Oct. 12, 1933, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of Royal V. Hammell and Ethel (Cox) Hammell. She lived in Reading, Mass. until moving to Winthrop in 1947. After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1951, she graduated from Forsyth School for Dental Hygiene in 1953 and worked as a hygienist in Augusta and in Philadelphia, Pa.

On June 10, 1956, she married C. Leighton Philbrick, Jr. and they lived in Philadelphia, Pa. until Leighton graduated from the University of PA Dental School. They lived in Stuttgart, Germany from 1959-1962, where her husband was a U.S. Army dentist. While in Europe, they visited many countries: Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

They returned to Maine and settled in Portland. In 1969, they moved to Cumberland where they raised their five children. She was very proud that all five children and 10 grandchildren attended Cumberland schools.

Barbara enjoyed membership in the Junior League in Portland, volunteering and serving as treasurer of what was them called the “Friends of the Blind,” book club, bowling and playing tennis and bridge. She was a member of the Foreside Community Church.

After raising her children, she returned to work as a dental hygienist from 1983-2004, working in Yarmouth and at Community Dental in Portland.

Throughout her life, she and her husband continued their love of travel, visiting New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti, Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean Island, Hawaii, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt.

She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years.

She is survived by her son, Leighton Philbrick and his wife, Sadhana Prasad and their children Ian, Maya, and Jay; her daughter, Lorene Donovan and her husband John Paul Donovan and their children Kelsey, Shannon, and Mitchel; her daughter, Brenda Bacall and her husband Charles Bacall and their children Parker, Katie, and Tori; her daughter, Jan Carleton and her husband Peter Carleton; and her son, Glenn Philbrick and his son Ryker.

Her family wishes to thank all the dedicated and loving caregivers who took care of her.

A private inurnment will be in Coombs Mills Cemetery in Augusta. Arrangements are under the direction of A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland.