Barbara Jeanne Barlow

BARLOW

BARBARA JEANNE BARLOW (Age 84)

Passed away peacefully in her home of 57 years in Rockville, Maryland, on June 15, 2022.



Born August 31, 1937, to Robert and Vera Cresswell, Barbara was a Washington DC-native and devout Catholic. She spent her early years studying at Holy Trinity School, where she would eventually return to coach girls basketball – GO TERMITES! Barbara pursued an elementary education degree – and more time on the court – at Catholic University. After graduating, she went on to work for Fairfax County Public Schools as a fifth-grade teacher.



Barbara married the love of her life, Jerry Barlow on February 4, 1961 and quickly built a beautiful family. As her family grew Barbara committed her life to loving and supporting them and, in so doing, ensured they always felt the warmth of a handmade sweater or quilt. Although she was awarded top quilting prizes, her most notable reward was seeing her work hung in the homes of her relatives and friends. Barbara was also known to knit Afghans, sweaters, caps, and booties for community members in need.



Her life was full of passion and curiosity. She was an avid reader, vocalist, musician (guitar and banjo), and traveler. She adored her yellow 1971 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, but it could only take her so far before she made it her mission to see the world. Barbara often spoke of her time spent travelling to 25 countries – from the Panama Canal to Dawson City, Yukon, where her grandfather once sought gold. Her favorite trip was to Churchill Manitoba. She was enthralled by the polar bear migration.



Barbara is survived by her loving husband, travel partner, and best friend, Jerry Barlow; sons Andrew Barlow (Ann, deceased), Christopher Barlow (Janet), and Kenneth Barlow (Carole); grandchildren, Natasha Horner (Jimmy) and Elizabeth Barlow; brother, Donald (Nancy); and many friends.



A viewing will be held on Monday, June 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Avenue in Rockville, Maryland. Friends and neighbors are welcomed to join the Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15663 Norbeck Boulevard in Silver Spring, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to make a donation to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Information can be found at jdrf.org/donate.



The Barlow family would like to express their deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses who so diligently cared for Barbara in the final months of her life as she battled breast cancer. Thank you, especially, Etta Walker for lovingly guiding Barbara and her family through this difficult time. Your love and care will never be forgotten, and you will always remain a part of the family.



For Barbara, who once watched birds from her kitchen window but now knows what it's like to fly.