Barbara J. Colville's Obituary
Barbara J. Colville (nee Lowe), 90, born July 23, 1927 in Clinton, MA passed away September 18, 2017 in Strongsville, Ohio . Beloved wife of the late Robert J. Loving mother of Beth Ann Jewell (Andy) and Robert B. Sister of Ed (Gail), Dick, and the late Bob, Bill, and Sally. Daughter of the late Clifford and Marion. Cherished grandmother of 3.
Barbara graduated from high school in Framingham, MA, in 1945, and then moved with her parents and siblings, living briefly in Rochester, NY, and Cincinnati, OH. The family then settled in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland. Barbara enjoyed life as a young adult in the city, working at Ohio Bell and spending time with her younger sister, Sally, and later with her nieces and nephew. Barbara began her college education at the University of Cincinnati, later transferring to Flora Stone Mather College of Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She was featured in the local newspaper when she postponed her college education to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps. In September 1953, Barbara graduated from basic training at the WAC Training Center in Fort Lee, Virginia. Private Barbara J. Lowe served her country at Anniston Army Base in Alabama. She received an honorable discharge in 1957 and finished college on the GI bill. A proud graduate of Flora Stone Mather College, Barbara received her Bachelor of Arts degree on September 5, 1958. “Miss Lowe” was a beloved fifth grade teacher at Verda Brobst Elementary School from 1959-1965.
On May 23, 1964, Barbara was married to Robert J. Colville, a mechanical engineer and Drexel University graduate who hailed from Philadelphia, PA. The couple had two children, Beth and Rob, and Barbara devoted the next phase of her life to her family. She loved spending time with her children, reading, and researching genealogy. Barbara disliked cooking and was a proud and dedicated fan of the time-saving innovations brought about by the Jolly Green Giant, Betty Crocker, and Stouffers. She often wondered aloud how her daughter learned to cook!
Following her husband Robert’s passing in 1982, Barbara staunchly encouraged her children to continue to pursue their educations. She was so proud of their academic accomplishments. Beth graduated from Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio State University College of Law and worked as a lawyer, wife, and mother. Rob graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Akron and worked in mechanical engineering, banking, trading and investing. Barbara loved traveling with Rob throughout the eastern United States, to the Blue Ridge Mountains and to her beloved Massachusetts and southern Maine. She welcomed grandchildren in the 1990s and Meghan and Ethan made many trips to Nana’s house. Barbara loved playing school and dolls with Meghan and taking her grandchildren to Holmes County, Ohio, to explore Yoder’s Amish Home and enjoy horse and buggy rides. When Raymond arrived in 2006, she wrote him beautiful letters, sent him books, magazines, and other gifts, and encouraged him to learn cursive writing. Once she got “stuck” while sitting down on the carpet to play cars with Ray, and we laughed together. She saved every letter Ray wrote to her. Nana was especially proud of Ray’s interest in playing baseball and thrilled with Ray’s progress as a catcher and batter.
Barbara was blessed with 89 years of good health, and she recognized this past spring that the Lord was calling her home. Her sense of humor was evident throughout her final days, as she shared thoughts such as, “I don’t think these pills are working,” and insisted upon real whipping cream at her meals. At the hospice center, Barbara tried to engage Rob as her accomplice: “Let’s sneak out of here. We won’t take anything that doesn’t belong to us.” She watched the Cleveland Indians and played catch with Rob during her final week.
During summer 2017, Rob devoted his days and nights to Barbara’s care, and he was by her side when she went to be with the Lord. Knowing that she would be received in heaven and reunited with her parents, her beloved sister, and other relatives and friends, Barbara bravely and peacefully traveled the pathway to eternal rest. “May God’s blessings be upon you, our precious Mom, and may you look down upon us and rejoice as we honor your steadfast presence in our lives.”All services private. Memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. https://secure.uhgiving.org.
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