Obituary for Barbara Rowsell
Barbara Blake was born to Frederick and Alvina Blake on May 17, 1943 at Birch Island, Happy Valley, Labrador. She contracted the terrible disease of Tuberculosis in her spine at age 3 and spent most of her childhood at St. Anthony separated from her family. She wasn’t expected to live past the age of 20. To use the words of her dearly loved cousin, Phoebe, “What a fighter she was!” She certainly was a fighter to live such a productive life past 80 despite many physical challenges.
Barbara was known for her generosity, her love for children though she was unable to have any of her own. She was an amazing seamstress, crafting many beautiful quilts, embroidered Inuit parkas, clothing, etc.
On September 1, 1979, she married Sandy Rowsell of Miles Cove. They raised two foster children, Jason and Shawn Blake. They also cared for foster child, Kimberly Kohlmeister for two years as a baby, whom they have kept in contact with till the present.
On December 7, 2023, Barbara slipped peacefully into the loving arms of her Saviour, whom she loved and served for around 40 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Alvina Blake, her sister Myra, her brothers, Howard, Frederick Jr., Isaac, Willie and Donald; her husband, Sandy and mother and father-in-law, Olive and Arthur Rowsell.
She leaves behind her brother, Robert Blake (Susan), foster children, Jason and Shawn Blake, Kimberly Kohlmeister, and foster grandson, Adrian Kohlmeister; sisters-in-law Fanny, Elsie (Wesley), Ivy (Bruce); brothers-in-law, Warrick (Dorothy), Malcolm (Vida), plus a large circle of other relatives and friends.
Barbara was known for her generosity, her love for children though she was unable to have any of her own. She was an amazing seamstress, crafting many beautiful quilts, embroidered Inuit parkas, clothing, etc.
On September 1, 1979, she married Sandy Rowsell of Miles Cove. They raised two foster children, Jason and Shawn Blake. They also cared for foster child, Kimberly Kohlmeister for two years as a baby, whom they have kept in contact with till the present.
On December 7, 2023, Barbara slipped peacefully into the loving arms of her Saviour, whom she loved and served for around 40 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Alvina Blake, her sister Myra, her brothers, Howard, Frederick Jr., Isaac, Willie and Donald; her husband, Sandy and mother and father-in-law, Olive and Arthur Rowsell.
She leaves behind her brother, Robert Blake (Susan), foster children, Jason and Shawn Blake, Kimberly Kohlmeister, and foster grandson, Adrian Kohlmeister; sisters-in-law Fanny, Elsie (Wesley), Ivy (Bruce); brothers-in-law, Warrick (Dorothy), Malcolm (Vida), plus a large circle of other relatives and friends.