Barbara J. Fenwick

January 21, 1938 - October 13, 2019

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Barbara Fenwick (Bowen). She lived a full life as a Navy Wife, Mother, Grandma, and Great Grandma. Barbara is survived by her Daughters, Christine Hampton, Cheryl Hampton and her husband Jeff, her Son, Donald Fenwick Jr and his wife Susan, 10 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Donald Fenwick Sr. (2008), daughter Cynthia Dussault (2003), and Son-in-Law David Hampton (2018). Barbara was born January 21, 1938, in Decatur, IN, the only child of Donald and Dorothy Bowen (Granger). Her mother Dorothy passed when Barbara was only 2 years old. She spent her early years being raised by her loving grandmother Mable Bowen (Rummel) and her Father. She spent time with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. Her Aunt Iris and Uncle Waldo Stevick played an important role in Barbara’s life. Their children were not only her cousins but also her great friends. While attending Celina High School Barbara worked at a five & dime and music store. Eventually an opportunity came available and she was able to work as a nurse’s aide at Gibbons Hospital. It was here that she realized her passion for nursing. One night after work she called for a taxi and the driver was Donald Fenwick, who went home that night and told his family he found the girl he would marry. On October 21,1956 he became her husband of 52 years. After marrying they chose a military life while Donald served in the US Navy for 27 years. This gave them a life of travel and exposed them and their family to a wealth of experiences. She began her career as a Nurse in 1968 after graduating from Bowling Green Ohio. She worked as a nurse in Ohio, California and Florida ending her nursing career after working 29 years at Morton Plant Hospital and West Coast Endoscopy in Clearwater, FL. She will be remembered by co-workers who said, “she was someone you could always count on” and who Doctors said “she knew her stuff”. Barbara will be remembered as a Mother who loved her children with such passion and dedication. She encouraged her children’s interest in sports, chorus, collecting lost and homeless animals, even baton twirling, and unicycling. Attending church every Sunday and Wednesday was something that Barbara expected of her children. Her children have fond memories of Holidays where their table was always full of sailors who were unable to go home. This open door, “everyone is welcome” policy continued throughout her life. Grandchildren remember being greeted with warm hugs and sincere smiles. They were able to ask any question and know that they would get a truthful answer. She was a patient teacher and passed her grandmother’s homemade noodle recipe onto the next generation, who honestly feels it isn’t really Thanksgiving without them. They also have fond memories of her breaking out into what they refer to as the “Grandma Dance”. The Bowen family farm in Van Wert, OH was the backdrop to many of her stories and escapades from her youth. Barb enjoyed family reunions at the Bowen farm and was eager to share this special place with her own children and grandchildren. She was grateful to her cousin, Dick Bowen and his wife Jill for sharing the farm and for always making her feel welcome. Her family is grateful for Barb’s time, energy and knowledge in researching not only the Bowen Genealogy but also her husband’s Fenwick family history. She enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling, and had an appreciation for good food. Most of all Barbara loved her family and instilled her strong values that will guide them throughout their lives. Donations may be sent to Arthritis Foundation/ helpfightra.org American Breast Cancer Society/ Give.BCRF.org