Barbara W. Keyes died Jan. 13, 2015 at the Vicarage by the Sea in Harpswell.

She was born Dec. 17, 1923 in Lowell, Massachusetts, daughter of Laurence and Anne Richardson, and grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. She attended Westbrook Junior College, earned her nursing degree from Newton Wellesley Hospital in 1945, and a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University in 1978.

In 1946, she married Daniel Keyes, who predeceased her in 1995.

Barbara lived in New York City and raised her family while working as a nurse from 1948 until 1986, as a Visiting Nurse, at the New York Hospital, Montefiore Hospital, then at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. After she and Danny moved to Sheepscot, she continued her nursing at Miles Home Health in Damariscotta until 2001.

Barbara had a gregarious personality and her life was enriched by many lifelong friendships. She enjoyed swimming, boating, tennis, traveling and all of nature, including numerous beloved pets.

She was an active volunteer for community organizations including Miles Hospital League and Meals on Wheels. She loved music, played the piano, and was a member of the New Amsterdam Singers in New York City, the Saint Andrews Choir, and the Sheepscot Valley Chorus.

She is survived by her children, Peter Keyes and wife Kathleen, Grace Phillips and partner Eric, Deborah Hidu and husband James, Margaret Kuras and husband Mark; grandchildren, Alice and Amelia Phillips, Benjamin Hidu, Zachary and Hudson Kuras; her sister, Jane Pearson; and her second husband, Theodore Clapp, to whom she was married in 1999.

Barbara's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the wonderful care provided at the Vicarage by the Sea. Her home for 3 and 1/2 years, Vicarage provided compassion and true acceptance of her whole person.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be planned for the spring.

Friends wishing to honor Barbara's memory may make a donation to the Sheepscot Valley Chorus P.O. Box 50, Wiscasset, ME 04578, or a charity of their choice.