1936 – 2014
NORWAY — Barbara Jean Kirschner Dow, 77, of Norway, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 16, at Stephens Memorial Hospital.
She was born to Lelia Margaret Russell Kirschner and Louis Albert Fred Kirschner V at home on Russell Street in South Paris on Aug. 3, 1936. As a young girl, Barbara worked at Pennesseewassee Lodge down the shore from Shepard’s Camps in Norway. Barbara graduated from Norway High School in 1954, attended Gorham State Teachers College (now USM), married Bruce Robert Dow of Norway in 1957 and graduated from college in 1958.
After college in 1958, Barbara and Bruce moved to Glen Burnie, Md., for Bruce’s position at the Westinghouse Defense Center located at Friendship Airport (now BWI). Later, Barbara and Bruce moved to Edgewood, Pa., so Bruce could pursue a master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh. They stayed in the Pittsburgh area, first in Wilkinsburg, then in Export, then in Murrysville.
In between having four children, Barbara taught school for years in the Franklin Regional School District located in Murrysville, Pa.
Barbara was also committed to summer swim club activities. For many years, the family belonged to the Beau Claire Swim Club. All four children swam for the Beau Claire swim team and Barbara officiated at many of the swim meets.
Barbara and Bruce divorced in 1968, and Barbara continued to teach school for years in Murrysville, until she retired in 1979. In 1980, Barbara moved back to Norway. In recent years, Barbara led a contented and happy life with her partner of many years, Nathan Hunt.
She is survived by her partner, Nathan Hunt of Norway; four children, Mark Dow and Flor Bernal of Summit, N.J., Scott Dow and Ashley Lasbury of Falmouth, Kathryn Barnes and Paul Barnes of Bristol, Tenn., and James Dow and Karen McCully Dow of West Caldwell, N.J.; ten grandchildren, Annaliese Dow, Samantha Dow, Eleanor Dow, Joshua Dow, Margaret Dow, Kyle Barnes, Nicolas Barnes, Eric Barnes, Jason Dow and Sarah Dow; four siblings, Robert Kirschner of Augusta, Ga., Charles Clayton Kirschner and his wife, Lois, of Macungie, Pa., Paul Kirschner and his wife, Pauline, of West Sumner, and Margaret Kirschner Edwards of South Paris; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her first husband, Bruce Robert Dow of Ridge Manor, Fla.
She was predeceased by a sister-in-law, Janice Kirschner.
The family wishes to thank Stacy Hudlin, Paulette Tabb and the staff of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the care they provided to Barbara.
Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.
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