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Barbara J. Lower Obituary

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Barbara J. Lower

Ionia, MI

March 28, 1926 - January 9, 2018

Barbara J. Lower Obituary

Barbara Jane (Pierce) Lower, 91, died peacefully Tuesday morning in St. Joseph, Michigan, with her daughter at her side. The rest of her 8 children were nearby or en route. Barbara was born in Detroit on March 28, 1926, the second child of Bruce and Helen Pierce. The family moved to Ionia when Barbara was in elementary school. She graduated from S.S. Peter & Paul High School in 1943. She attended Marygrove College in Detroit, graduating in 1947 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Barbara married Robert Lower on July 10, 1948. For 91 years Barbara said “yes” to the joys and mysteries and sadness of life’s feast: to her husband Bob’s request that she marry him, she said “yes,” to any request from her 8 children or her 16 grandchildren, she said “yes,” to any piece of chocolate, she always said “yes” (“Lent is coming so I have to work fast”). She was a full participant in her family, on her street, in her church, and in her community; whether is was cooking and baking for family and friends, bartending at the K of C, listening to a friend talk about a loss, delivering Meals on Wheels, making pies for the Free Fair Church tent or SSPP Bingo, cleaning the church, or serving as a school room mother or scout leader. She said yes to more than chocolate. She regularly agreed to activities she was afraid of: snow skiing, boating, snowmobiling, traveling alone to visit her son in China, descending from the Great Wall on a zip line. She was willing to do about anything if it meant she could spend time with her family. Her enthusiasm was infectious and her children and grandchildren know they owe a lot to her. Next to losing her husband 35 years ago, Barbara’s greatest disappointment was her inability to participate in this feast of life the last three years: attending weddings of grandchildren; traveling freely; knitting and sewing; playing Scrabble and Bridge. Barbara is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Pierce; her eight children, Mary (Marshall) Macfarlane, Roberta (John) Colbert, Nancy (Neil) Alexander, Susan (William) Bauer, Bruce (Cindy) Lower, Amy (Jim) Welch, Bridget (Tim) Davidek, and Laurie Mundt. She has sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Robert Lower; her brother, James Pierce, and her parents, Bruce and Helen Pierce. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Thomas Brown at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ionia. The family will receive visitors from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Lehman Funeral Home, 220 Rich Street, Ionia. The rosary will be prayed on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ionia County Literacy Council or S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in honor of Barbara. Arrangements are entrusted to Lehman Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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