Rev. Barbara Helen Standish Teele, 86, of Damariscotta, and a former longtime resident of Bremen, died Feb. 16 at her residence after a long period of failing health. Rev. Teele was born Aug. 18, 1921, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Alfred and Lillian F. Pushee Standish.

At age 11, she moved with her siblings: Alfred, Eleanor, and Marian, to South Waldoboro, where she resided until she married Rufus Teele of Bremen on Jan. 28, 1940. They resided on Bremen Long Island until the birth of their first child, when they moved to the mainland in Bremen.

She was active in the Bremen Health Council, and an active member of the Bremen Union Church where she taught Sunday school, and led the Youth Fellowship. Barbara raised her seven children after caring for those of her neighbors. She loved baking, canning, gardening, and serving and helping others. She crocheted many afghans for family and friends, and made quilts for her 21 grandchildren.

For 17 years, she worked part time at the Medomak Post Office and for a short time, ran the Teele General Store in Medomak. While her family slept, she took correspondence courses for the ministry under the guidance of the American Evangelical Christian Churches of Chicago, Ill., and was ordained in the Bremen Union Church where she began her ministry. Many people consider her ministry to have revived the declining church, then ministered in the Walpole Church. Her ministry spanned many years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Rufus Teele, Sr. in 2004; brother, Alfred; sisters, Marian and Eleanor; and daughter-in-law, Anna Teele.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth Teele of Standish, David Teele of Bremen, Rufus Teele, Jr. of Bremen, Thomas Teele of Bremen, Ellen Prior of Bremen, Elaine Simmons of Nobleboro, and Rita Simmons of St. George; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Wed., Feb. 20 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Celebration of Rev. Teele's life 11 a.m., Thurs., Feb. 21 at the Bremen Union Church. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Bremen. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro.