Obituary: Barbara Ruth Pendleton
Barbara Ruth Pendleton
OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Barbara Ruth Pendleton, 71, of Old Orchard Beach, passed away surrounded by family on August 16, 2026.
She was born in Monterey, Calif. on July 22, 1955, the daughter of Gunter and Johanna (Lamminger) Liepmann. Being a child of a United States Army officer, Barbara experienced many relocations throughout her childhood. She graduated from Berlin American High School in Berlin, Germany class of 1973.
After high school, Barb followed her parents and moved to Maine where she attended the University of Maine Farmington until 1977, receiving a degree in Elementary Education. Her passion for teaching began long before obtaining her college degree. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be an educator and spent hours playing “school” with her siblings as a child.
Upon graduation, she was employed by Sweetser in Saco for 10 years, followed by 25 years as a kindergarten teacher at Governor John Fairfield School in Saco, retiring in 2012. She always commented that she felt fortunate that she had found her calling in teaching, it never felt like true work because of how fulfilled she was by working with and caring for kids. She would constantly tell stories to her family about all the students she loved and there was no trip to a grocery store that wasn’t complete with a big hug or wave from a former student.
During her time employed at Sweetser, she met the love of her life, her husband Carlton Pendleton. There was no question that they both considered one another true soulmates. They saw one another as an equal partner, they balanced and respected each other for the 47 years they were married. Their children would frequently come down the stairs as kids and find them dancing in the kitchen to a song on the radio or just talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company. There was nothing they enjoyed more than a long drive to a memorable location such as Stowe, Vt. or North Conway, NH. They truly have a transcendent love.
Not to be forgotten was the love she had for her children, Carlton II, Corey, Stuart, and Janna and grandchildren, Carlton III, Brady, Cameron, Katherine, Madison, Damien, Brogan, Johanna, Mathilde, and great-grandchildren; Natalie, and Carlton IV (Danny). She took deep pride in being a parent and “Grandmom” or “Meme”. As the lifelong teacher, she spent many hours with her kids and grandkids raising monarch caterpillars to butterflies, picking whatever fruit was in season, playing at Bayview Beach, and shuttling her kids to and from all their activities. She never said no to a child who wanted to read a book and the voices she gave to the characters in the story will be a lasting memory.
Her passing has left a void in the lives of her family that can never be filled. She was kind beyond measure, wonderfully funny, and never afraid to laugh at herself. Her smile and vibrant energy had a way of making everyone around her feel a little brighter.
In her memory, we strive to carry on her legacy by embracing the simple pleasures she cherished—a long walk, tea with a friend, the quiet beauty of a hummingbird, and, above all, the reminder that there is very little in life that a bowl of popcorn and a good book cannot fix.
She is survived by her husband Carl, her two sisters Nancy Liepmann and Bettina Perkins, and sister-in-law Eslie Parquette, brother-in-law Craig Pendleton (Susan); her son Carl II (Pepper) CJ, Brady; Corey (Yadera) Cameron and Katherine; Stuart (Rona), Madison, Damien, and Brogan; daughter Janna (Nate) Johanna and Mathilde; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers-in-law- David Parquette and Roger Van Duzer Jr., brother Spencer Liepmann; and parents Gunter and Johanna Liepmann.
Visiting Hours will be from 2 – 5 p.m. Friday, August 21, 2026 at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. Reception to follow at People’s Choice Credit Union, Saco 5 – 7 p.m. Burial will be private at a later date in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.
To view Barbara’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit http://www.cotefuneralhome.com
“When great souls die, after a period, peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed” Maya Angelou
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to:
Eslie J. Parquette School
c/o Sweetser
50 Moody St.
Saco, ME 04072
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