Barbara A. Durland, (Bowes) 89, died peacefully on Friday May 11, 2018 in the company of a beloved friend in Bloomfield CT. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on September 21, 1928 to the late Francis C. Bowes and Elsie(Treen) Bowes. She was married for 45 years to Robert E. Durland until his death in 1995. She graduated from Rogers Hall High School (Lowell, MA) in 1946 and Wheaton College (Norton, MA) in 1950. Barbara grew up and raised her family in Winchester, MA. She returned to the workforce at MIT in 1973. She and Bob retired to Cape Cod 1987. Barbara was a bit of a gypsy having moved 22 times before she moved to Bloomfield, CT in 2015. She generously volunteered her time to local parishes and community organizations everywhere she lived. She enjoyed skiing, target shooting (2 National Records), camping, curling, golfing (Hole-in-One), photography, bridge, cribbage, theater and traveling. She visited all 50 US states and made many trips abroad including to the United Kingdom, Europe, China, and Australia & New Zealand. She was a member of Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother Arthur T. Bowes. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands Lisa Durland and Jonathan Cowles of Manchester, CT and Lynne and George Moranian of Londonderry, NH. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Charles Sousa, Christopher Sousa and his wife Amanda Jennison-Sousa, Elizabeth Sousa, Sarah Cowles, and David Cowles. She also leaves extended family including her sister-in-law, Anne Bowes, niece Meredith Bowes and her companion, Angelo Iannuzzo.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Duncaster, 40 Loeffler Rd., Bloomfield, CT on June 1, 2018 at 11 am. Barbara lived life to the fullest; please honor her by wearing bright colors. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Duncaster Resident Assistance Fund, 40 Loeffler Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 or Adelynrood, 46 Elm St., Byfield, MA 01922. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com