Obituary of Barbara Van Dusen Dowd

Barbara Jeanne Van Dusen Dowd 9/17/45 -- 11/27/13 Beloved wife of Charles Arthur Dowd Jr. for 48 years, and the loving mother of Charles Dowd III (deceased 1986), Cynthia Pratte of Reno, NV and Catherine LoRusso of Eleva, WI. She is also survived by grandchildren Madeline, Frank and Molly LoRusso, Alex and Maya Pratte and Maela Pratte-Miller. Barbara died peacefully in her Eau Claire, WI home on the evening of November 27 after a 14-year battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; she was surrounded by her entire family and good friends. In spite of her illness, Barbara lived actively and traveled widely up until the last few weeks before her death. Barbara is described by all who knew her as an extraordinarily kind, loving and generous woman; she devoted her life to the betterment of others’ lives. Barbara was trained and acted as a Stephen minister in the Presbyterian Church, and in this capacity offered help to many people. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Barbara was a 1963 graduate of West High School and a 1965 graduate of Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY. She married her high school sweetheart and they made their family-centered homes in many lovely communities such as Naperville, Il., Carmel, IN, Incline Village, NV and Eau Claire, WI. A memorial service will be held on December 14th at the Village Church 736 McCourry Blvd. in Incline Village, NV at 2 PM. Family and friends may call WEDNESDAY (12/18) from 5-9 at Miller Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. (3325 Winton Road South). Click Here For A Map Barbara's Funeral Service will be celebrated on THURSDAY (12/19) at 10:00 AM in the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park (210 Marsh Road). Click Here For A Map Home Eau Claire, Wisconsin Birthplace Rochester, New York Donations The Ronald McDonald House Click Here To Donate Online Red Cross - For Philippines relief Click Here To Donate Online The Salvation Army Click Here To Donate Online