WINTHROP - Barbara Benson Ingham, 98, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. She was born in Machias on June 25, 1907, the daughter of Millard H.B. and Alice (Huntley) Thompson. Barbara and her sister, Katharine, who was two years older, grew up in Machias. Barbara graduated from Machias High School in 1924 and Washington State Normal School (University of Maine at Machias) in 1926, and received her registered nursing degree from Central Maine General Hospital (Central Maine Medical Center) in 1930. For the next year, she lived in Farmington while working at Franklin County Memorial Hospital. In 1931, Barbara came to Winthrop and worked for Dr. Badger at his private hospital, where they would visit patients' homes and she would administer anesthesia for minor surgery and childbirth. Also in 1931, she married Charles W. Benson, whom she had met at a dance. He was injured on the railroad in 1931 and was unable to work for five years, during which time they lived in Machias and on High Street in Winthrop before buying a home on Western Avenue in 1940. In 1954, Barbara went to work at Augusta General Hospital (MaineGeneral Medical Center) as head nurse on wards B-1 and B-2. When the new wing opened, she moved to the emergency room as head nurse and worked in that capacity until her retirement in 1975. Barbara married Dwight Ingham in 1977 and they lived on Forest Avenue in Winthrop until they bought a house on Main Street in 1980. During her marriage to Dwight, they traveled extensively in the United States and throughout the world. Barbara was an active member of Center Street Congregational Church in Machias and Winthrop United Congregational Church in Winthrop. She was treasurer of the Ladies' Circle, was on the Memorial Committee, and was a member of the Ladies' Christmas Club in Winthrop. She made biscuits for the fish chowder luncheons for many years and sold articles for the Women's Guild during the luncheons and church fairs. She also was a member of the Rebekah Lodge, OES. Barbara had several hobbies, including ceramics and her favorite one, knitting. She would knit sweaters for church fairs, as well as socks and mittens for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Barbara was predeceased by her first husband, Charles Benson; her second husband, Dwight Ingham; her sister, Katharine McKenney; and her son-in-law, Ed Slauenwhite. She is survived by a daughter and two sons, Sarah 'Sally' Slauenwhite of Monmouth and her children, Bill and Sue; James Benson and his wife, Marge, of Augusta and their children, Charlie, Carrie, and Michele; and Richard Benson and his wife, Judy, of Bingham and their children, Todd, Glenn, and Laura; two stepdaughters, Nancy Lewis and her husband, David, of North Monmouth and their children, Jennifer and Peter; and Joyce Freeman and her husband, David, of Cape Elizabeth and their children, Bill and Jessica; numerous great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Gary McKenney, of Auburn. Relatives and friends are invited to visit 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A celebration of Barbara's life will follow at 1 p.m. at Winthrop United Congregational Church, with the Rev. Kim Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in Glenside Cemetery, after which everyone is invited back to the church for refreshments and fellowship. Memorial contributions may be made to Winthrop United Congregational Church, 10 Bowdoin St., Winthrop 04364.