Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND - Barbara E. Allen, 85, known to many as ‘Aunt Bobbie’, died peacefully at the Sussman House, February 2, 2016, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born in Rockland, June 20, 1930, she was the daughter of Vesper E. and Minnie B. Pitcher Grover. She was raised by her grandmother whom she considered her Mom, Elizabeth Mae Blake Crockett. She was educated in Rockland schools.
In 1948, while working at an area nursing home, Barbara met Carl Gamage. They married and made their first home in Rockland. In 1955, they moved with their family of five children to Potsdam, NY. In 1968, they returned to Rockland, where Barbara has since resided.
Out of necessity, Barbara often raised her 8 children on her own, even to the point of buying her own home. Her faith coupled with her tenacity to be a great role model for her children, gave Barbara the ability to raise her children to be the people they are today.
To support her family, Barbara often worked multiple jobs at one time. Her work included cleaning homes, working at W.T. Grant, Duncan Donuts, vanBaalen’s and at First National Stores.
After retiring, Barbara met one of her high school sweet hearts, Fred S. Allen. They were married Valentines Day, 1998, in Bristol, by Barbara’s son David. Together they made a wonderful life, and Barbara found her favorite job, serving as Fred’s sternwoman.
Barbara was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Rockland, and the Rockland Lodge of Elks Emblem Club.
She enjoyed crafting, flower gardening, cats, crocheting and in earlier years enjoyed playing BINGO.
Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Fred in 2011, a sister Dorothy, and a son-in-law James Meyers, Barbara is survived by her children, Edna Stevens and her husband Alfred of Tuckerton, NJ, Gary Gamage and his wife Bonnie of Rockland, Gail Willey and her husband Jerry of Union, Craig Gamage and his wife Vickie of Warren, David Gamage and his wife Sharon of Woolwich, Karen Spearin, Rebecca Gamage both of Rockland, Gretchen Drake and her husband Scott of Lincolnville; her step-children, Donna Dennison and her husband Steve, Rosemary Meyers, Belinda Anderson and her husband Barry, all of St. George; two brothers, Rev. Donald Grover and his wife Louise of Richmond, VA, James Brown of Michigan; 19 grandchildren, Darin, Kurt, Brian, Michael, Michelle, Jerry, John, Kim, Chris, Josh, Joe, Scott, Adam, Alisha, Sonja, Justina Nathan, Malcolm, Nicole; 35 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Wednesday.
Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Pope Memorial Animal Shelter of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841. To share a memory or condolence with Barbara’s family, please visit her Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.