Barbara F. Hower

Barbara Fitzsimmons Hower was born February 5, 1932 in Newport, RI and died on February 20, 2019 at the Grand Islander Long Term Care Center after a lengthy period of Alzheimers. Barbara was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Phelan) Fitzsimmons of Newport.She leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Condit Hower, a daughter Sarah Lyne Hower (spouse Joseph Welfeld), a son David Condit Hower (spouse Kelsey Camire), grandchildren Gwendolyn, Theodore, and Oliver, and sister Eileen (Fitzsimmons) Requardt.After graduating from Rogers High School and Pembroke College in Brown University, Barbara taught school at the 8th and 9th grade levels in North Brookfield, MA, Newport, and Brooklyn, NY. She also worked as a comparison shopper at Sears, a research analyst at the American Petroleum Institute in New York City, and later in Connecticut as the Administration Director of the Stamford Art Association. Later, Barbara was the office manager and marketing assistant at a Landscape Architecture firm in Greenwich, CT.In Brooklyn and lower Fairfield County CT, she was active in the Junior League. Other volunteer involvements included co-founding a gourmet cooking group for the YMCA, assisting YMCA international studies programs, participating in the Parent Teacher Association, and directing public relations for a professional singing group. She also sang in two Gilbert and Sullivan productions while living in Connecticut. In Newport she was a long-time member of Hazard's Beach and the Redwood Library. Barbara's family would like to thank the entire staff at Grand Islander, particularly the nurses, CNA's, and activities personnel for their kindness and loving attention throughout the years of Barbara's residency.A gathering to celebrate her life will be held from 2-4 PM, on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport RI. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Rhode Island, 245 Waterman Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02906.