Barbara Ellen Roth

Carol W. Roth, 91 and his beloved wife of 65 years, Barbara E. Roth, 89 both recently passed away in Leesburg, FL. Long time residents of Norway, Maine, Carol and Barbara had recently relocated to HarborChase assisted living community in The Villages, FL. They are survived by their 5 children: Brian (wife Carol) The Villages, FL; Amy Jacobs (husband Bob) Crown Point, IN; Lisa Slaton, Tallahassee, FL; David (wife Dara) Little Egg Harbor, NJ; and Dan (wife Mary) Highlands Ranch, CO, 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Coming from extremely humble backgrounds, raised during the Great Depression in Wilkes-Barre, PA, both were surrounded by large, loving families. After serving in the U.S. Army in post-WWII Italy, Carol returned to Wilkes-Barre where he met Barbara on a blind date. They were married in 1955 and decided to leave Wilkes-Barre and start their new lives together in Paterson, NJ where Carol was beginning his career as an electrician and devoted member of IBEW Local 102. They settled in Haskell, NJ where they raised their 5 children. In NJ Barbara worked as a bookkeeper to help support the family, while also serving on the Wanaque Borough Board of Education. Carol was active with the Boy Scouts with their sons. When electrical work become scarce during the recession of the mid-70's, Carol took a job with Pepper Construction Co. as a project manager in Saudi Arabia. Barbara and their 2 youngest sons soon followed, while the older 3 children attended college in the U.S. The family spent 4 years overseas until returning to the U.S. where Carol was employed in Pepper's corporate office in Chicago. During this time they were residents of Crystal Lake, IL and Barbara worked for Kemper Insurance. After 10 years in Crystal Lake, Carol and Barbara retired to Norway, Maine where they built their dream house on Sand Pond. They were at Sand Pond for 25 years, enjoyed being "from away" and became very active members of their Sand Pond and Norway communities. Carol served on the Finance Committee in Norway, Barbara worked the polls each election day and both served community lunches to the less fortunate families in Oxford County. Singing was one of their greatest pleasures and Carol sang in the local Barbershop Quartet, while Barbara in its counterpart Sweet Adelines. These activities helped pass the time until the next visit from their grandchildren, when Grandpa would serve the best home made pizza and Grandma would keep everyone awake late into the evening with her family stories. Their faith and their church were always a fixture in their lives. They were extremely active members of their Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregational churches in New Jersey, Illinois and Maine. Both were devoted members of the choir, and each served on several committees in each church. Carol and Barbara will be buried together in the Florida National Veteran's Cemetery in Bushnell on Friday, February 14 at 2:30PM. A memorial celebration is planned for later this summer in Maine. The family has been overwhelmed by all the condolences we've received from across the country. Our parents touched so many lives in so many positive ways. It has been our blessing and privilege to have shared them with family and friends near and far. Donations in their memory can be sent to The First Congregational Church in South Paris, Maine.

Barbara Ellen Roth

February 17, 1930 - January 13, 2020