Sheila Barlow, 69, of Clarion, Pennsylvania passed away on July 23, 2013 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Sheila was born to the late Henry and Elizabeth Barnable in Calvert, Newfoundland (NF), Canada. She was an islander at heart and introduced many a friend to the rugged, natural beauty of her Canadian home.
Foremost, Sheila was a beloved mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend to all in need. She touched many lives. She will be remembered for her compassion, spirit, and infectious laughter. She had a zeal for life and an adventurous spirit. She loved traveling, cooking, playing cards, skiing, and jokes.
After an eight year battle with Alzehimer’s, her body succumbed to the disease, but her unbreakable Spirit endured. She is our rock and will be forever.
Sheila was the consummate health care professional. After graduating from St. Clare’s Hospital’s School of Nursing in St. John’s, NF she started her career as a labor delivery nurse in St. John, New Brunswick, also then worked in Vancouver, British Columbia and Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Later, Sheila returned to school and transitioned into teaching nursing.
She graduated from Clarion University’s first Bachelor of Science in Nursing class and continued her studies, completing a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. She was an Associate Professor in the Nursing Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania when she retired in 2003. In her professional capacity, she traveled and did research, but her first call was mentoring and nourishing her students whom she trained in local area hospitals.
She is survived by her husband, Arthur H. Barlow, children Maegon, Chris and his wife Joy Yan, and Shannon and her husband Mark Flanagan; grandchildren Morgan, Connor and Rowan, her sister Bernice Piche; brothers Wayne, Terry and James, her Uncle Stan and Aunt Frances, sister in law Mildred Gesualdo and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street, in Clarion, PA, where a visitation will be held Friday, July 26 from seven to nine PM.
A Mass will be held for Sheila at 11:00 am on Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street in Clarion with Fr. Monty Sayers as celebrant. The family is also planning a memorial service for Sheila in Ferryland, Newfoundland, the third week of August.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.goblefh.net.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Clarion Forest VNA Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.