Barbara Broadwell

Barbara Broadwell
Barbara "Barb" Doty Broadwell, 96, of Midland, MI, passed away peacefully at her home in Independence Village on August, 16, 2025.
Born on September 22, 1928 in Ishpeming, MI, Barb moved with her parents to Detroit at just six weeks old. She enjoyed many activities growing up, but ice skating with her dad and spending summers at their family cottage on North Manistique Lake in Newberry, MI were among Barb's favorite childhood memories.
At Noble Elementary School in Detroit, Barb first met her future husband, Ted, when he held the drinking fountain for her. Barb and Ted began dating during their senior year of high school, after which Ted enlisted in the US Army and Barb enrolled at Western Michigan University. Fifty-two days before the end of Ted's military service in Italy, he began sending Barb a daily letter with one playing card from the same deck. On the day he came home, Ted brought Barb the final card in person: the ace of hearts.
Barb always had a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor, and a vivacious nature, perhaps best exemplified by the time Barb mailed Ted an invitation to their own wedding to ensure she would not be left at the altar! Barb and Ted married on June 11, 1949 inside a packed Westlawn Methodist Church in Detroit.
Barb ultimately transferred to Michigan State University, where Ted was studying Chemical Engineering, and she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 1950.
Barb began her teaching career in East Lansing, and after Ted was hired by The Dow Chemical Company in 1952, the couple moved to Midland, MI. Shortly after their move, Barb and Ted became faithful members of the Midland First United Methodist Church.
Once Barb raised her children to school age, she continued her career as a first grade teacher at Carpenter Street Elementary School for 18 years. Barb always loved kids, and her favorite subject to teach them was reading. During her time as an educator, Barb not only went on to earn a Master's Degree in Education from Central Michigan University, but was also an active P.E.O. member in Midland.
Following their retirements, Barb and Ted moved to Naples, Florida, where she remained actively involved in the community for 27 years. Barb taught English to Spanish-speaking students through the Literary Society, was a frequent volunteer in the maternity ward at the North Naples Hospital, and performed volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.
Barb loved spending Michigan summers with their three children at the family cottage on North Manistique Lake, where Ted would join them on weekends. Barb always enjoyed an active social life, and was one of those people who would make you say, "She's never met a stranger." Given her outgoing personality, without fail Barb would run into old friends everywhere she went.
Barb enjoyed traveling the world, and vacationed to envious destinations including Hawaii, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Scandinavia. For her 75th Birthday, Barb, along with her maid of honor and best friend, Kay Doig, attended the Siegfried & Roy show in Las Vegas on October 3, 2003. There, Barb witnessed the white tiger attack on Roy that would ultimately end the show forever! Barb always said that everyone in the audience first assumed that when the tiger dragged Roy offstage by his neck that it was just part of the show!
As an avid golfer, Barb was a member at both Midland Country Club in Midland, MI and Imperial Golf Club in Naples, FL, where she would play four to five days a week. Barb took many golf trips, and played renowned courses such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach with Ted, and Crystal Downs and Belvedere in Michigan with Ted and their friends. Barb's crowning achievement on the golf course came when she made a hole-in-one on the eighth hole of Imperial Golf Club's East Course!
Beloved wife of Ted C. Broadwell for 76 years, Barb kept the ace of hearts playing card Ted gave her on the mirror in their bedroom her entire life.
Loving mother of Steven C. (Elaine) Broadwell of New Berlin, WI, Scott A. (Lynn) Broadwell of Houston, TX, and Julie B. (Richard) Holmes of Troy, MI, Barb always savored every minute she was able to spend with her kids.
Proud grandmother of Kate (Richard) Fueling of Muskego, WI, Claire (Cody) Binns of New Berlin, WI, Jennifer (Rodney) Hermes of Houston, TX, Lindsey Broadwell of Houston, TX, Melissa (Neal) Singmaster of Houston, TX, Mark Holmes of Royal Oak, MI, Eric (Emily) Holmes of Rochester Hills, MI, Jeffrey (Colleen) Holmes of Holland, MI, and 11.75 great-grandchildren, Barb enjoyed watching them succeed in their jobs and their families grow.
Reunited in Heaven with her parents Albert C. and Evelyn M. (Gumerson) Doty on August 16, 2025.
A private memorial service for Barb's immediate family will be held at the Midland First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting those wishing to express their sympathy to please consider Midland First United Methodist Church or the Independence Village of Midland Senior Living Community.