Barbara J. Fearnley

Barbara Fearnley was a truly remarkable woman, a vivacious, energetic, talented woman, and a woman with a great passion for life. She was a woman with a passion for so many things, though, a passion that sang out in the hearts of those who knew her. The year was 1924, and our great nation was enjoying the spoils of victory from World War I, as the Roaring Twenties really started to get revved up. It was an exciting time for so many, as Women's Suffrage took effect, and the country had moved beyond the Industrial Age into a Progressive era, even during Prohibition. Exciting times, indeed. And here in this corner of the globe, the Fearnley family was excitedly awaiting a beautiful baby daughter. Barbara was born May 2, 1924, on a warm spring Friday in Muskegon, Michigan . Barbara was baby of three children born to Daniel J. and Rose Fearnely, joining sister Leota, born in 1920, and brother Daniel Jr., born in 1921. Barbara's father was the manager of Bishop Furniture Co. of Muskegon, and the Fearnleys resided in the longtime family home on McLaughlin Avenue . Barbara led an active and wonderful childhood, exhibiting the passion for life she had all her years. While our nation was caught in the teeth of the Great Depression in those turbulent times of her youth, Barbara said late in her life that she and her family were largely unfazed by its effects. She was very active as a child and naturally talented, both athletically and musically. She enjoyed all the fun things kids do as youngsters, particularly growing up on Muskegon 's sandy shores. Her youth was filled with skating, swimming, camping and just being with her family, and especially her friends. She attended Muskegon Public Schools, graduating from Muskegon High School in 1942. She made so many lifelong friends in high school, but that was the way Barbara was; full of love and loyalty. After high school Barbara took a job at Anaconda Wire & Cable Co., a job she held for the next 40 years until retiring, but that never stopped her from pursuing her many other interests. She also played violin in the Westshore Symphony Orchestra, utilizing her great musical gifts. But in 1947, as the country was just beginning to recover from the effects (and enjoy the victory) of World War II, Barbara's family was dealt a difficult blow, with the death of her father. But Rose had her beloved Barbara, and the two enjoyed a busy, happy life together for nearly forty years after Dan Fearnley's death. Barbara, in the meantime, filled her free time with so many sporting pursuits, and became interested in bowling, golf, bridge and playing volleyball. It was while playing the latter sport in 1955 that she met her lifelong friend Doris "Cookie" Cook, who me ant so much to her and to all the Fearnleys over the years. A natural athlete, Barbara became very involved - and quite good - at bowling, a sport she played regularly for over 40 years. Over that span Barbara collected countless awards for her bowling prowess, including her crowning achievement: The Muskegon Chronicle "Bowler of the Year" award, in the 1964-65 season, when she rolled a 689 series! That is an amazing number for those days, especially, without the benefit of today's space-age technology and perfect lane conditions. Barbara got tremendous joy from bowling, but she had so many joys in her life, so many passions. She and Cookie fostered such a warm, loving and loyal friendship over the years, and bought a cottage together on Twin Lake in 1962. They loved that cottage so much, and formed so many warm memories there together over the next 40 years. It became a wonderful little getaway, jus t north of town near Whitehall , a great vacation haven for them. Their time there was filled with picnics, swimming, boating, parties, parties - and did we mention parties? Yes, that cottage was so much fun for them, their families, and the many friends they entertained there. Barbara would load everyone up in their pontoon boat - and make no mistake, she was the Captain, and had the hat to prove it! - and go cruising around the lake with a full cooler on those sun-kissed summer days. Barbara's friends and family knew too that she was a great bartender, famous for her Bloody Marys and Southern Comfort Old Fashioneds. Of course, for a woman with Barbara's sunny disposition, every day seemed sun-kissed, full of fun, lots of laughs and great friendships. Barbara also enjoyed her bridge club, and stayed with the same club for over 30 years. And she also sang with the Sweet Adelines vocal gr oup for over a decade. But that was Barbara, always so loving and loyal to her friends and family. Barbara was especially devoted to her loving mother Rose, and lived with her for her entire adult life in the family home, and caring for her during Rose's later years. Rose died in 1987, and for nearly twenty years afterward, Barbara and Cookie shared the Fearnley family home. After her mother died, Barbara and Cookie spent so much wonderful time together, at home in Muskegon, at the cottage and traveling the United States , sharing new adventures, new experiences. They even did a bit of gambling. Barbara always had uncanny luck on the slot machines, while Cookie always got robbed by those one-armed bandits! Those last years were special times for Barbara, like the rest of her life, full of fun and friends, and love and laughs. She was a tremendous woman, a woman with a passion for so many things, truly a passion for life. Hers was an amazing life, a good life, a life lived to the fullest. Today Barbara's life, and her love, lives on in the hearts of so many. She will be greatly missed. Barbara's friends and family include: 50-year companion, Doris "Cookie" Cook; 1 niece, Sandra Clark of Muskegon ; 3 nephews, Joe (Kathy) Fearnley of Muskegon, Jim (Diane) Witt of IL & John (Chris) Witt of Covert, MI; several great nieces & nephews; many many close friends including all the Cook family who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel (Wilma) Fearnley & a sister, Leota (Logan) Witt.