Kathleen Mary Barlow

Kathleen Mary (Clarkson) Barlow, 81 of Jaffrey, slipped away peacefully in the pre-dawn hours of August 9, 2013 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH, in the loving embrace of family.

She was born September 28, 1931, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the late Dr. Merton Robert Clarkson and Eva Marie (Petterson) Clarkson. Kathleen was a graduate of Washington-Lee High School, class of 1949 and Mary Washington University, Fredericksburg, Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in English. She went on to an exciting position at the Pentagon where she worked for several years during which she met David, the love of her life.

Kathleen and David Hammond Barlow married on September 3, 1955 in Arlington, Virginia, settling in Littleton, Massachusetts for 28 years before pulling up roots for New Hampshire. Together they raised three children Susan, Kenneth, and Stephen; she had the good fortune of being able to work as a stay-at-home Mom, instilling in her children a lifelong desire for continued learning. In her early fifties, Kathleen made the bold move of going back to school where she earned an advanced certificate in medical terminology and transcription subsequently starting her own company, Monadnock Medical Transcription, from which she retired in 1996.

During her years growing up and living in Virginia, and her years in Littleton, Peterborough, and Jaffrey, she formed many lifelong friendships. She was a gracious and very social woman who loved hosting small gatherings, frequently inviting individuals who were new to town providing them with a seamless integration into their new community. Kathleen was passionate about many things but especially a healthy lifestyle and she embraced homeopathy and the blood type diet before alternative practices became widely known must less accepted by the public or the medical community.

Kathleen was always active in the church and community. She held the post of Deacon in the Presbyterian Church, USA and Congregational Church of Littleton and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels amongst other activities. She loved music and sang in madrigals in college, in church choirs and the Chelmsford Choral Society as an adult. Piano was another passion which she would play 6-handed with her two sisters, and numerous enjoyable hours were spent accompanying her daughter on the flute and son on guitar. Kathleen also loved a good book, often sharing favored selections with family & friends.

Kathleen’s greatest passion of all was her family, who will miss her with all their hearts. She is survived by her husband, David, her three children Susan Sturges and husband Paul, Kenneth Barlow and wife Denise, Stephen Barlow and wife Cheryl; her three grandchildren Sarah Robertson and husband Mike, Erika Hoyt and husband Bill, and Samantha Barlow; her great-grandchild Hailey Hoyt; her sister Jill Carlson and husband Jerry; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews and families. She was pre-deceased by her sister Laura Hendrick in 2012.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 7, 2013 at the First Church of Jaffrey at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kathleen’s name to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 564, 312 Marlboro St, Keene, NH 03431.