Virginia Barrows

Virginia Barrows Virginia Gruwell Barrows died on July 20th, 2016, from complications of dementia. A much adored wife, mother, grandmother, friend, poet and spiritual advisor, she has gone to be with the angels she so loved. Virginia was born in Los Angeles in 1927, to Joel and Elzinore Gruwell and was the youngest of two daughters. She lived her early life in mining camps in Kingman, Arizona, and Bishop, California, where her father owned gold mines. She moved back to Los Angeles in the 40's and as a young woman assisted in the war effort by becoming a "Rosie the Riveter." Virginia met the love of her life, William H. Barrows, while she was working for Occidental/ Transamerica Life Insurance. They married and in 1952, they welcomed their first daughter Leslie. They lived in Kansas City, Kansas, and Cincinnati, Ohio, where Bill was a successful group insurance salesman. In 1959 the family moved to Los Angeles and Virginia turned her talents to painting, ceramics and weaving. Bill and Virginia had their second daughter Alissa in 1964 and life in the Hollywood Hills was groovy. Bill had the opportunity to retire early so in 1973 dreams became reality and the entire family of four traveled Europe for a year and a half in a car towing a 16 foot camping trailer. When they returned in 1975, Bill, Virginia and Alissa relocated to Cambria, California, while Leslie stayed in Los Angeles. They knew the small town from numerous vacation trips to scan Moonstone Beach for agates and jadeite. Around this time Virginia began her spiritual quest, searching for a deeper meaning in existence. She completed a three year course in Religious Science and was led to the "Course In Miracles." It became a major influence in her life. Along with Unity teachings and the great mythic legends present in most cultures, she continued as a student of metaphysics for the remainder of her life. Bill and Virginia opened their home to three AFS students; Lovisa Svavarsdottir from Iceland, Joke Van Herk from the Netherlands and Helen Johansson from Sweden. Virginia wrote wonderful poetry and was included in three issues of the juried annual Oasis Journal. She loved lipstick, sewing, Sichuan restaurants, shoe stores and chocolate ice cream. She enjoyed cooking and had a massive collection of recipes. Her home was filled with beautiful antiques. She continued her world travels, going to India, Israel, Egypt, China and Iceland. Everyone who met Virginia was blessed by her spirit, beauty, intelligence and loving kindness. She is much missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughters Leslie (Donald) Jackson and Alissa (Jesse) Maddren, along with her grandchildren Morgan (Nicole Rusk) Maddren and Alison Maddren. A Celebration of her Life will be held at the Joslyn Center, 950 Main St., Cambria, Calif., on September 17 at 11:30am. To attend a luncheon following the event, please RSVP Alissa Maddren at (805) 235-5882. Sign her guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries