Barbara Elizabeth Hallihan Jordan ’50

Barbara Elizabeth Jordan was born May 30, 1929 in Torrington, CT to James J. and Frances Morgan Hallihan. She died peacefully on May 23, 2021, a week shy of her 92nd birthday, in the presence of family.

She grew up in Ansonia, CT, was Salutatorian of her high school class and graduated from the University of Connecticut, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and a History major. It was also where she met her future husband.

Barbara, known as Bobby to her family, married James J. Jordan in 1952 and moved to Maine, living in Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Saco. Bobby and Jim proudly raised six children together. They were members of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church where she was active in the Sodality Group, the Cumberland Club and the Centerboard Yacht Club. She wrote a newspaper column for the American Journal for a number of years and served as Town Clerk and later Town Treasurer of Cape Elizabeth until her retirement. She was a devout Catholic, an avid reader, wonderful cook, and loved to entertain. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and making milestones a priority. She also enjoyed picnicking, sailing, knitting and travel. In later years, she split her time between Maine and Naples, FL. She enjoyed good health and good fortune throughout her life until her final few months.

She is survived by her six children: Christine (Larry) Harrison, Dallas, TX, Kathleen (Ben) Cassidy Alexandria, VA, James J. Jordan Jr. (Marguerite) Sarasota, FL, Jeffrey Jordan (Stella Folsom) South Portland, Julie (Peter) Farnsworth, Cape Elizabeth and Jennifer (Jim) Dumas, Lewiston. Nine grandchildren: Alanna (Price) Onken, San Antonio, TX, Benjamin (Clare) Cassidy, Chevy Chase, MD, Caroline (Matt) Praske, Washington, DC, James J. Jordan III, Alexandria, VA, Meredith Jordan, Santa Monica, CA, Ted Farnsworth, Portland, ME, Jake Dumas, Washington, DC, Jared Dumas, Portland, ME and Jazlyn Dumas, Lewiston, ME. Four great-grandchildren: Wesley and Griffin Onken and Jane and Winifred Cassidy.

She is also survived by her sister, Carol Boulanger, Devon, PA, and brothers James (Jaye) Hallihan, Jr, Loudon, TN and Tom (Nancy) Hallihan, Stuart, FL.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, her parents and her sister, Patricia Prchlik, brothers and sisters-in-law, John Prchlik, Ernest & Joan Jordan, Noreen Jordan, and Howard Boulanger.