Barbara (Mundt) Walsh

BRIDGTON – Barbara Zane Mundt was born in Westbrook on July 5, 1942, to Malcolm and Virginia Mundt. She grew up in Bethel where she enjoyed spending time with her sisters, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

She lived most of her life in Portland. Barbara passed away peacefully, with her children at her side, on Nov. 4, 2025, in Bridgton.

Barbara graduated from Gould Academy in 1960. She then attended Gorham Teachers College for a semester.

Barbara had an exciting time in her 20s, working in various professions such as a waitress in West Palm Beach, Fla., as a cook in logging camps in rural Maine, and as an aide at the Maine State Hospital in Portland.

In 1971, her twin children, Michael and Alissa “Missy”, were born. As toddlers, they kept Barbara busy while she often took them to work with her.

On July 29, 1978, she married John Walsh, to whom she remained married for more than 47 years. They met at the Magic Muffin on Congress Street where they both worked. When Mike and Missy were children, Barbara and John often fostered children who needed a stable home.

Among her favorite places where she worked was for George Lekousi at the Quick Lunch and the Westfield Inn on Congress Street, where Mike and Missy would often be underfoot until they were old enough to be useful as table bussers. Barbara was proud of her work in the public as a waitress and at the Union Station Wash and Fold.

At times, her children thought she knew everyone in Portland. Barbara could talk to anyone and made friends easily. She was always completing word puzzles and crosswords as quickly as she could, and was extremely well-read, often dominating Scrabble games. She was tough, fighting through injuries at work to keep providing for her family.

Barbara is survived by her husband John; son, Mike Walsh and daughter-in-law Autumn, daughter, Alissa Noble; sister, Deb Wheeler; grandchildren, Jake Merold, Jane Walsh, Sean Noble, Caedyn Noble; and many beloved cousins; nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Evelyn Wing and brother-in-law Cole, sister, Peggy Stoddard and brother-in-law Wayne; nephews Dennis Wing and Michael Stoddard.

In her final years, the wonderful staff at Bella Point in Bridgton took exceptional care of Barbara. She spoke often of how well they treated her, and her family wishes to express their deep gratitude to everyone who worked with Barbara.

Services will be held at a later date in the Spring of 2026.