A Great, Great Grandmother Turns 105

Barbara Bean celebrates with family

Photo: St. George’s Episcopal Church

By Mal Meyer DeBruyckere, Office Administrator, St. George’s Episcopal Church

Friends and family of Barbara Bean recently celebrated her 105^th birthday with a birthday cake, cards, presents and photo taking.

Many of Mrs. Bean’s five-generation family attended the festivities. Over the years, she has been featured in newspaper articles and TV news stories, many of which centered around her age and volunteerism in the Sanford area. She attributes her longevity to a positive attitude, staying busy and never worrying.

Barbara Bean grew up in Jaffrey, N.H., lived in Waterboro and moved to Sanford in recent years. She has four sons (two surviving), 23 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was married for nearly 50 years to Leon Bean. She’s been a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church for a few decades and still attends services every Sunday. The selectboard and town administrator recognized her as Waterboro’s oldest resident last year. Ten years ago, she said in a newspaper interview that she was shooting for 100. Now she’s aiming for 110.

Further inquiries can be directed to one of her grandchildren, Stacey Bean, at 207-468-0802.