In Memory

Barbara Ferrell (Gaines)

Barbara Ferrell (Gaines)

Bobbie died April 20, 2013. She had not been well for the last 10 years struggling with three bouts of cancer. Her husband and two children were with her when she passed away peacefully at home. Bobbie lived two blocks from Sarah Beekman Wolf in Rockford, IL. They were very dear friends. 



 
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04/21/13 01:34 PM #1    

Barbara Muehlhauser (Bailey)

What a surprise and shock to receive the news of Bobbie Ferrell.  We shared wonderful days in high school and were both members of KZX sorority.  I will never forget the huge paper drive we had in her back yard to raise funs for our spring formal.  We all worked so hard bundling paper and had so much fun together.  Bobbie was always sweet and I know she will be greatly missed by her family and all those who knew her.  Our class of 1963 will also miss her!

Barbara Muehlhauser Bailey


04/21/13 01:58 PM #2    

Sally Goldenberg (Landau)

Bobbie, sweet Bobbie.......she will be missed.  

Last time we were able to see each other was at our 25th reunion. She was bright, funny, nice, supportive, engaged....just like the memories I'd formed of her.  I was soooo looking forward to seeing her in September.  Until this very shocking and sad notice of her passing, I'd thought we were just trying to locate her.

Bobbie was bright, tried to be a good student (her parents encouraged that....a LOT!), and still she had the nicest quirkiness....often joining me in laughter.....at her own expense.

This goes back before our days at BTHS.  We both had gone to Signal Hill together.  I was always poised for something surprising to erupt from Bobbie, and this one vividly remembered moment did not disappoint.  She was standing in our classroom, looking out the window adjusting the waistband button on her press-pleated skirt.  Seeing something she wanted us all to witness as well, she pulled up her arms in a wild gesture and called our attention to her view.  In the doing, her skirt slipped her grasp and fell in a pile around her ankles. The class erupted in laughter.

Ladies, if you recall THOSE days, our moms made sure we wore full or half slips, so the accident wasn't half as embarrassing as it might have been.  She seemed to take it in her stride, and for me, I loved her all the more.


04/23/13 11:30 PM #3    

Sarah Beekman (Wolf)

I reconnected with Bobbie and her husband in 1974 when my husband, Jamey, and our then one year old Nathan moved from Evanston to Rockford.  She invited us for dinner before we were even settled into our home, and  our friendship was instantly  renewed.  Several years later she and her family moved two blocks from us and we saw each other frequently.  Bobbie and I worked on many community projects together, our children went to the same highschool and were friends, her son John is married with two children and lives in Cininnati and daughter Katie is married and lives in Evanston and has two children. Our husbands are also very close good friends and weekly golf buddies.

 I will include a few sentences that her husband, Rich, wrote for her obituary:

"Bobbie despised prejudice, hypocrisy and ostentatious consumption and was one of the three known Rockfordians to proudly identify heself as a political liberal.  She refused to spend money on herself but was unstinting in providing for the needs, both real and perceived (by her) of her children and granchidlren.  Her health problems of the last decade were greatly eased by the love of her children, their spouses, and her four grandchidren, all of whom, of course, were "above average" in the Lake Wobegon tradition. 

By the late 1990s her heatlh was beginning to deteriorate but she retained her interest in the  Discovery Center (the museum I (Sarah) am exec. director of) supported the charitable activities of the local Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni chapter, and served on the board of Winnebago County CASA."

Sally, you asked about Bobbie's choices in life and this hopefully has given you some glimpses. 

I spent lots of time visiting Bobbie, we always had great conversations, and I kept her aware of many of your lives by telling her what I  had just read on this website.  I have spent  time this whole week with her daughter Katie looking at photos as she prepares the slides they wants to show at Bobbie's memorial on Sunday. Marilyn is sending some from Signal Hill days and I had some from highschool and many from times together with our families in Rockford. I have printed your remembrances and her family enjoys reading them.  Very sad to lose a good friend.

   


06/10/13 12:37 PM #4    

Charlie Manker

I am so terribly sorry and greatly saddend to learn of Bobbie's passing. In reading the comments, it's apparent she remained just as sweet throughout her life as she was when I knew her in high school. We dated a few times, and she was always fun. What a great smile and laugh she had. I know Bobbie is greatly missed.

Charlie Manker


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