Barbara Maden

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Barbara Ann (Baiko) Maden, 77, of Solon. Barbara peacefully passed away August 31, 2022, at Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan. Barbara was born June 12, 1945, in Wading River, New York, but moved to Solon with her family in 1954. She began her education in New York, and later graduated from Solon High School, class of 1963. As an adult, she earned a degree from Beal College in accounting. Other than a few brief stints living in surrounding communities and in Massachusetts many years ago, she lived in Solon her entire life up until last year when she became a resident at Cedar Ridge.

Barb held many jobs over the years, finally settling in to serve as deputy Town Clerk then Town Clerk / Tax Collector for the Town of Solon; she served in that position for many years. She loved being involved in the community and was also a member of the Solon Water District and had been Director of the Youth Recreation program when her children were young. Through this work, she got to know most everyone in town. She is remembered for always having treats for the little ones (and herself - mostly Hershey’s chocolate in some shape or form), and having sassy interactions with her coworkers, friends, and others who visited the Town Office.

It was at home, though, where Barbara’s true gifts manifested in the one thing EVERYONE remembers her for: her garden. With her mother Helen, they grew arguably the best home vegetable garden in town. From asparagus to acorn squash, broccoli to beets, corn to cucumbers, radishes to rhubarb and everything in between, they spent every spare moment from about April to late September planting, tending, harvesting and preserving the best veggies around. Barb and Helen’s pickles were sought after far and wide.

In addition to gardening, Barbara enjoyed reading, listening to music, crafting, collecting tins and Elvis memorabilia, doing crossword and other word puzzles, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, smoking her Misty menthol slims, enjoying an evening Bacardi with caffeine free diet Pepsi after a long day’s work, and Friday night Happy Hours at the Solon Hotel, where she and her friends had a round table with standing reservations for “the ladies of the round table.” She is remembered for her warm smile, infectious laugh, and numerous catchphrases such as “manure occureth" and "read between the lines," but most importantly as being a good friend to many.

Barbara is survived by her four children: Michelle Corson and partner Ross Frazier of Madison, Kimberley Marr and husband Corey of Skowhegan, Cathy Milojevic-Kaey and husband Danny of Budapest, Hungary, and Gary Nelson of Solon; siblings Victor Baiko of Solon, Linda Lomastro and husband Phil of Rhode Island, and Paul Baiko of Skowhegan; grandchildren Lauren Landry and partner Bryant Lee of Farmingdale, Caleb Mack of Buxton, and Stephanie Marr and partner Caleb Soucier of Skowhegan; great-granddaughter Kinsley Soucier of Skowhegan; nieces Shelley Baiko Krelie and husband Harold of New York, Lindsay Susi and husband Dom of Portland, Heather Baiko of Winslow, and Christina Baiko of Canaan; stepchildren Marie White and husband David of Utah, Grace Washburn of Virginia, and Richard Maden and husband Daniel Newman of Wisconsin; cousin Nadine Orenkewicz of New York; her friends from the Solon Hotel crew and multiple grandchildren, great grandchildren nieces and nephews through marriage.

Sixteen days prior, she was predeceased by husband James (Jim) Maden; additionally she already had lost granddaughter Nicole Lynn Corson, parents Helen (Michalowski) and Victor Baiko, and her younger brother William (Billy) Baiko. She was also predeceased by her former husbands, Harry Barney Jr. and Gary Nelson.

Special appreciation to the Med Surg staff at RFGH including the hospitalist team, staff at Cedar Ridge, Dr. Lorraine Paradis, as well as for the recent support provided by Beacon Hospice. We’d also like to acknowledge friends and neighbors David Lynds, Richard Roberts, George and Penny Williams, Julie Chicoine, the staff at the Solon Corner Market, and the countless other friends and neighbors who “looked out for” Barb while she was still at home.

Funeral services will be held September 12 , 2022, at 11 a.m. at Giberson Funeral Home in Madison with graveside service to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Solon.

A joint Celebration of Life will be held for both Barbara and Jim on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 1 p.m., at 320 Shusta Road, Madison.

Barbara did appreciate beautiful flowers, but friends wishing to do so may instead consider supporting the Alzheimer’s Foundation in her memory. https://www.alz.org

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit www.gibersonfuneralhome.com

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