Barbara (Sloat) Rowe

Barbara Sloat Rowe, of Middlefield, CT, passed away January 12, 2022, at Wadsworth Glen Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Middletown. Born October 22, 1934 in East Hodgdon, Maine, Barbara moved to Connecticut after graduating from Ricker Classical Institute High School in 1952. Barbara had lived in Middlefield since 1958, raising three children with her husband, David, while taking an active role in many aspects of the town’s cultural and political life.

She was a longtime member of the Middlefield Federated Church, as well as a member and board member of the Levi E. Coe Library. Beginning in 1982, Barbara also served more than 25 years as Registrar of Voters for the Town of Middlefield, often working long hours alongside elected officials and municipal colleagues to ensure orderly and transparent elections and referenda.

An avid reader, Barbara worked part-time for several years at the Levi E. Coe Library, then worked several more years as librarian’s assistant at the then-elementary Middlefield Center School. She and David were enthusiastic square dancers, dancing for over 20 years with a local square dance club and also taking several square dance club trips throughout the northeast. The couple also took numerous trips around the United States following David’s retirement. Finally, following David’s death from colon cancer in 2002, Barbara was an active member of a Colon Cancer Survivor’s group.

Barbara enjoyed traveling by car with family and friends throughout her life and took a keen interest in meeting people, making friends of all ages. She avidly watched UConn Women’s Basketball, loved chocolate, and was possessed of a sharp mind, dry wit, and warm heart. Predeceased by her husband David M. Rowe, brother H. Douglas Sloat, and sister Lee Quinion, Barbara is survived by her three children, David Michael Rowe of Middlefield, CT, Jeffrey C. Rowe of Bowdoinham, ME, and Kimberly B. Rowe of Boston, MA. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Samuel, George, Abigail, and Nell, one great-granddaughter, Anna, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call on Friday, October 21st from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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