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Gwen Barlow (Griffith) passed away at home on February 26, 2008, after a three-month battle with cancer and kidney failure.
She was born August 9, 1937 in Los Angeles, CA, the first of two children from the marriage of Mary Belle Neathery and Osbie Griffith. Raised to love art and culture, Gwen became an accomplished musician. She graduated from Claremont High School in 1956, and went on to get a B.A. Degree in Music from Pomona College, and then a Masters in Library Science from the University of Denver.
In 1960 Gwen married Harry Barlow, and they lived in Seattle and in Davenport IA before moving to San Francisco. While in San Francisco, Gwen gave birth to Kathleen Belle Barlow 1968, and the following year the Barlows adopted Devin Griffith Barlow. In 1983 the entire family including Gwen's father Osbie, by then an elderly widower moved to Madrid, Spain, where Harry had taken a 3-year job posting. Gwen was always very fond of historical and cultural sights and events and particularly enjoyed taking visiting family members to her favorite locations in Spain.
After Spain, the Barlows returned to the US, moving to Santa Cruz in 2000. Gwen and Harry became very fond of Santa Cruz, making many friends and becoming enthusiastic supporters of local ballroom dancing. Avid reading, walking along the west cliffs, gardening, and the occasional visit to a musical or cultural event in Santa Cruz or in San Francisco rounded out Gwen's activities.
Gwen began to have problems with leg pain which interfered with her dancing in the fall of 2007. By December she was feeling quite unwell, and shortly before Christmas was hospitalized with a diagnosis of advanced metastatic cancer. Not wishing to prolong the end, Gwen returned home with hospice care, but her strong body fought long and hard before she finally took her last breath the morning of February 26th.
She leaves behind her devoted husband Harry, daughter Kathybelle of Houston, TX, son Devin of Los Angeles, CA, and brother Hayes of Eugene, OR.
Gwen's intelligence, sense of humor, directionality, and consistent cheerfulness, even in the face of adversity, will be missed!
A Celebration of Gwen's Life is planned for April 12 at Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave. in Capitola, beginning at 11:00am. There will be a potluck at noon followed by sharing memories of Gwen, then dancing. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: WomenCare of Santa Cruz, 1001 41st Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062; or to Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz, 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
~ Published in Santa Cruz Sentinel from March 1 to March 5, 2008
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