Margaret Evelyn Barton

January 27, 1937 - January 10, 2023

Margaret Evelyn Barton née Buchan was born in Brisbane, Australia, to Norman and Dorothy Buchan. She was the middle child between an older sister and eventually a younger brother. Her early years were mostly characterized by the unique circumstances of World War II—more specifically, the absence of her father who left to go to war and remained gone for most of the war and the evacuation of the family to a rural location outside of Brisbane. This along with the general fears and wartime deprivations would leave an indelible mark on Margaret.

In the aftermath of the war there emerged a shortage of qualified teachers. Margaret was selected to enter a local teacher’s college earning her certification to begin teaching while still a teenager herself. Shortly into that chapter of her life she entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the help of a minister she met in Sydney. This profoundly influenced her life purpose and goals. As she grew in her new faith, God began to significantly reshape her life. One of the outcomes of this was the decision to attend seminary at Moore College in Sydney. About this same time she became acquainted with a certain young Naval Officer by the name of Charles Barton. She was not immediately drawn to him nor interested in becoming involved romantically with him. He, on the other hand, had the opposite reaction to her and in rather short order informed her that he felt God wanted her to marry him. Unconvinced as she was by this declaration, she purposely delayed her entrance into seminary by a year once she learned that he too would be entering Moore College for his own preparation for the ministry once his naval career ended. It would seem the Lord, and Charles, prevailed in all of this.

Margaret and Charles were married on August 21, 1963. Seminary training was completed for both of them (they were the first married students at the school) and within a year their firstborn (Andrew) arrived after they had relocated to a church in Adelaide. A few years into this particular ministry assignment, and another son’s arrival (John), they made the decision for Charles to pursue further training in the area of pastoral counseling. No such program existed in Australia at that time. Thus, the search broadened considerably and they ultimately chose Boston, MA, where an opportunity for a one-year certification program materialized. As with their unusual courtship, God had a way of bringing about unexpected results. What began as a one-year sojourn in America eventually turned into…the rest of her life as a permanent resident, and eventually a citizen, of the US.

Charles continued pursuing academics for many years to come in the Boston area and in order to support and house their growing family (two more sons came along within a few years, Peter and Adam) he accepted a position at a small, rural congregation in Groveland, MA. This is where Margaret would spend the next three decades until their retirement at which time they relocated to Wilmington, NC. Over those years the family did return to visit their homeland on numerous occasions. Various relatives also came to visit from time to time. But the loss of her hopes and dreams of raising her family in Australia took its toll. Anyone who spent time with her understood this clearly.

Nevertheless, she dove into life as a minister’s wife and mother of four active boys. While she never fully embraced those cold winters, she did endeavor to foster a myriad of experiences for her sons during their upbringing. There were extensive travels both foreign and domestic (they reached her goal of visiting all 50 states!). She made sure many kinds of sports and leisure activities were made available despite limited resources. Moreover, each of her sons gained access to high quality education in private schools due in no small part to her creative and tireless efforts behind the scenes. Her devotion as a mother truly knew no bounds. Throughout her years with her four boys at home she made sure they became thoroughly familiar with all things Australia. From boomerangs to Banjo Patterson poems, it was exceedingly important to her that they knew and revered their cultural heritage.

Somehow in these busy years Margaret pursued her own academic studies, earning a Bachelors and Master’s degrees in English Literature. Along with a brief teaching career in area public schools Margaret began building a network of relationships with others in the evangelical community in the Boston area. She developed friendships with folks at Gordon-Conwell Seminary, Grace Chapel, and the Billy Graham Association. Eventually these connections not only blossomed into enduring friendships, but also unique venues for extensive ministry once the early mothering years were over. Among these were teaching the large weekly women’s bible study at Grace Chapel, coordinating the Billy Graham phone counseling center training, guest lecturing at the seminary, being a spokesperson for World Vision, and an active speaking ministry all over New England. She had a remarkable heart for ministry in public venues as well as private interactions through hospitality in her home or joining Charles in his own ministry of visitation to those who were lonely and hurting.

Once grandchildren arrived into her life a whole new scope for serving began to bloom. She came to know and love all 19 of her grandchildren and prioritized communication with them in addition to visiting in person whenever she could. She was a woman of earnest prayer on behalf of her children and grandchildren as well as friends and extended family spread across the globe.

In 2002 Charles retired from his congregation and they relocated to Wilmington, NC, where her oldest son Andrew and his family were living at the time. At long last, she realized the dream of living nearby family after many years of separation not just from her Australian family but her own children and grandchildren. Additionally, she welcomed the return to a temperate coastal community with its fine weather and beaches similar to those of her childhood in Brisbane. Though she may have missed her friends up north, she emphatically did not miss New England winters.

In the latter years of her life, illness, aging, and frailty curtailed much of her activity. Charles’ role in her life gradually shifted to primary caregiver until his sudden death in June, 2022 after 59 years of marriage. Within the mists of dementia in her final months, she would frequently call his name and say that she missed him. She died peacefully and comfortably in her sleep. More importantly, she died with firm hope in an eternal home with her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Charles D.H. Barton, and a sister, Anita Harris. She is survived by a brother, Paul Buchan, her four sons, Andrew (Sandy), John (Marlene), Peter (Laura), and Adam (Amanda) along with 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 3o, 2023 at the Frank H. Kenan Chapel at Landfall in Wilmington, NC, at 11:00am, followed by a private family burial at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Barton family.