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Barbara Rowe, the encourager, praiser, and a balmer of troubled souls, went to heaven June 13, 2023
Barb (Mrs Rowe to you!) was a clever and thoughtful writer. Her prose was short and incisive, and she always knew what others needed to receive. In another life, she would have been a journalist or a recorder of stories, but in this life, her written works boosted, thanked and praised people around the world.
She sent thousands of cards and letters during her 78 years.
Sales of Hallmark cards and purchases of Canada Post stamps will drop dramatically with her passing.
Barbara Rowe was born February 5th 1945 in Woodstock Ontario. There she met her husband-to-be, Barry Rowe, with whom she enjoyed 60 years of happy marriage until his passing 13 months ago. They leave behind their three children, Kimberly, Rob and Laura, their three grandchildren, Caitlynn, Rowen, and Jillian, and one great grandchild, Ava.
But Barbara was not just a writer. She was a nourisher of bodies and souls-and a fixer of clothes. When it came to sewing, Barb could do anything. She made prom dresses, bridesmaids dresses, and Halloween costumes. Describe any design you got in your head and she’d make it. Her seamstress skills went international too. When one of her daughters was getting married in Wales, Barb made the lush green and red velvet wedding cape, carried it on the plane to England, and then by (slow) train to the ceremony in a small Welsh chapel. She could cook a meal for 5 and extend to 12 at very short notice. No one would go hungry and no one would be alone on any holiday, on any Sunday or on any special occasion. Barb was always practical and always thinking of others.
All of these actions were underpinned by Barbara Rowe’s unwavering Christian faith. Her deep connection to God enabled her to love unconditionally, transcending tradition and generations, and embracing all with compassion and understanding-often when others would not.
Seeing the divine spark in others encouraged Barb to serve the community. She was a member at Emmanuel Baptist Church for over 50 years. There she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and ran the Christian Business Women’s network. She was also actively involved in the Mothers-of-Preschoolers program.
And yet, despite the effort expended on helping others, Barb always had energy for her deepest calling: To be a supportive wife and a stay-at-home mom. To her own brood, she provided loving and unconditional support in their interests and hobbies. She displayed the same care and affection to her neighbourhood children too. At Regal Place, the Rowe pool was always open (and supervised), and the kitchen was always stocked with cookies, muffins, milk, hugs and kisses.
Towards the end of her life, and while suffering in pain and discomfort, the joy in her faith remained undiminished. She knew heaven awaited and shared this message with the staff and fellow patients at Chatham General. When questioned by a nurse,
“What makes you believe you are a Christian?”
Barb replied,
“Because it says so in the Bible. John 3 verse 16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That’s how I know.”
Amen Barb.
Details of a Celebration of Life service for Barbara Rowe will be announced at a later date.
2023
Life Transitions Burial and Cremations Service Inc
Death notice for the town of: Chatham, Province: Ontario
death notice Barbara Rowe 2023
obituaries notice Barbara Rowe 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Barbara Rowe 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.