People We've Lost
Virginia “Gina” (Smith) Farnsworth, Marlene (Leavitt) Sprague, Jennifer Westphal
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a new feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks. We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered. If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know and we’ll share it here for you.
Virginia “Gina” (Smith) Farnsworth
Bar Harbor
A much loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Virginia “Gina” (Smith) Farnsworth, 95, of Bar Harbor, Maine, passed away at Orono Commons on April 3, 2025. The daughter of John W. and Alice E. (Thurlow) Smith, she was born August 29, 1929, in the small town of Lee, Maine.
She graduated from Lee Academy and her first job was as a telephone operator in Connecticut. She married Bion Calvin Farnsworth of Bar Harbor, Maine, on May 20, 1950, at Lee, Maine. Wanting to live by the ocean (having visited Bar Harbor on a class trip), she moved to Hulls Cove, where Bion had a boat yard.
She had five children and while they were growing up, she was the consummate housewife/mother. She was a Den Mother for many years for her only son’s troop as well as a co-leader of her daughter’s Y-Teen group. She later began working for the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce when it was basically a one-person office and continued to work at various positions with them for over 50 years. A member of the Church of Our Father in Hulls Cove, she held various positions, including Senior Warden and treasurer of the church’s fair committee for many years. She was also a member of the Bar Harbor American Legion Auxiliary for several years. Always a volunteer for the Bar Harbor YWCA, she worked on many projects, including with the Food Pantry. Through them, she was selected as the Woman of the Year. A member of the Bar Harbor Rotary Club, she was one of the first women to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2001-2002 program year.
Remaining to cherish Gina’s memory are her children Judy Farnsworth of San Carlos, California; Kathy Harris and husband Zan of Portland, Maine; Peter Farnsworth of Stratton, Maine; Pam Farnsworth of Southwest Harbor, Maine; and Karen Farnsworth and husband Todd of Connecticut; grandchildren Justin Czujko; Kristin Greene and husband Sam; Christopher and wife Meg Bradgon; Shawn Harris and wife Crystal; Sarah Farnsworth; Katherine Phillips; Ocean Dunton; and Hannah Farnsworth; great-grandchildren Marlow Greene, Carter Greene, Greyson Bragdon, Harper Bragdon, Annabelle Harris, Lydia Harris, Jackson Harris, Wiekko Sillanpaa, Bion Sillanpaa, Emma Berube, Brenna Farnsworth, Acadia Dunton, Addison Dunton, and Chandler Magee. Gina was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bion Calvin Farnsworth, her brother Charles Smith, son-in-law Gregg Doran, daughter-in-law Sharon Farnsworth, and grandchildren Zanders Kerry Harris and Joshua Bion Farnsworth.
Friends are invited to call from 2-4 pm. Fri., April 11, 2025, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert. Memorial Services will be held in July 2025, at the Church of Our Father. Interment will be private at Hillside Cemetery, Hulls Cove.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
Marlene (Leavitt) Sprague
Bar Harbor
Marlene (Leavitt) Sprague, age 88, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Marlene was born on July 28, 1936, in Bangor, ME, the daughter of Imelda (Godin) Guptill and Isadore (Izzy) Leavitt.
Marlene had many interests, including many years as a member of First Baptist Church in Bar Harbor, a member of the American Legion Post #207 for over 24 years, a member of MDI Hospital Auxiliary, loved playing all sorts of board and card games with many friends, and going out to eat lunch.
She leaves behind her two sons, John R. Sprague and wife, Marie, of Cushing, ME, and Kevin M. Sprague and friend, Jean, of Lamoine, ME; one daughter, Kim E. Newman of Goose Creek, SC; 6 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond D. Sprague Jr., to whom she was married for over 50 years.
There will be a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 46 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor, followed by a reception at the church. Interment will be held at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor, after the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her memory to First Baptist Church, 46 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Condolences may be expressed at jordanfernald.com.
Jennifer Westphal
Bar Harbor and Great Cranberry Island
Jennifer Westphal, 66, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 23, 2025, after a 22-year battle with brain cancer.
Born on March 29, 1958, ten minutes before younger twin Janice, to Alvah and Alberta (Dunton) Strout of Bar Harbor, Jennifer was raised in DeGregoire Park alongside her five siblings. One of her favorite activities growing up was riding her horse, Flicka, that she shared with her twin. Jennifer attended MDI High School, and while running cross country there she met her future husband and love of her life, Michael. After graduation she worked as a weaver for Dunlap Weavers where she developed the skills that led to her lifelong love of creativity and the arts.
In 1982, Michael and Jennifer were married, Jennifer in a wedding dress she made and wove herself. First son, Gabriel, was born in 1983, after which they moved to Michael's family home on Great Cranberry Island. Younger son, Brendon, arrived in 1985, and shortly after they broke ground on their own house on a lot nearby the Westphal family home. Jennifer worked as a seamstress, helped Michael build the house, and cleared the land of stumps, trees and brush, all while raising two young boys. She became a very dedicated member of the island community, joining the school board and volunteering for many events. She sewed costumes for her kids and filled her home with whimsical stuffed animals and dolls.
A dedicated mother to her two sons, Jennifer, never missed a sports game or event. Her homemade gifts made Christmas extra special. She most enjoyed hiking to the beach at Great Head Cove with her family and a picnic lunch to enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine. She was always there to listen and give straightforward and honest advice. After the brain tumor, the advice got even more straightforward and honest.
Later in life, she could often be found at home working in her gardens or having lively phone calls with her twin. Despite battling brain cancer, she worked many years at Westphal Builders, answering phones and helping Michael build and renovate island homes. In her leisure time she enjoyed sitting on her deck that faced the ocean, journaling about the many species of birds that visited every spring, creating intricate needlepoints, and watching Star Trek and the Red Sox. Mostly she enjoyed the peace that came with living in the woods on a small island. In her journal she wrote of lying in bed with the window open, listening to the waves lap against the beach and docks that sat a short walk through a woods path to the shore. She faced her brain tumor with determination, grace and a certain indeterminable humbleness, with an appreciation for the gift's life could give, both big and small. Jennifer will be remembered for her love for her husband and family, her easy laugh and great sense of humor.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Michael; her son, Gabriel (Anna); son, Brendon (Shannon); and granddaughters, Maeve and Parker. Her Strout siblings are twin sister and longtime caregiver, Janice (Alex), Stephen (Helen), Joe (Terry), Ann (Stephen) and Penny (Thomas). Her Westphal family in-laws are Sarah, Gretchen, Joan, James (Elle) and Rolf (Joannie). In addition to her parents, Jennifer was predeceased by her mother in-law, Ruth Westphal; father in-law David Westphal; brother-in-law, Chris Dawson; and special family friend, Elaine McFarland. The family wants to express their heartfelt appreciation for the hospice nurses and CNAs who cared so thoughtfully for Jennifer in her last years.
There will be visitation from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert. The family will be meeting privately on Great Cranberry Island at a later date to spread her ashes. Gifts in Jennifer's memory may be made to the Cranberry Island Community Center. Condolences may be expressed at jordanfernald.com.