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Barbara E. Bauer
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Barbara Ellen Bauer, the third child and third daughter of Ann and Albert Bauer was born on December 20, 1949 in Darien Connecticut. A bright child, Barb was quieter than her older sisters but throughout her life possessed a ready, understated wit. When she was two her family moved to Syracuse, New York, and then to Detroit Michigan where she grew up and attended Catholic schools. Upon graduation from Our Lady of Mercy High School (OLM) she attended Western Michigan University, and after a short time back in Detroit she returned to Kalamazoo.
She was devoted to her family, and so the premature deaths of her siblings Tim, Thom, Bernadette, and Christopher, and the passing of her parents were very difficult. A good friend to her remaining siblings, Patty, Eileen, Matt, and Mary (Gilmary) she never forgot birthdays, special occasions, and holidays. Barb was a doting aunt and always knew what gifts would be appealing to her nieces and nephews. She had a special relationship with her goddaughter Shelee Martin, and she and Shelee’s mom Kay were friends from 1968.
A beach-lover and sun-worshiper she left Kazoo for San Diego, California, and from there moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she met her husband Jon Watkins. Their home, and later her home, was always open to friends and guests, and no one enjoyed a party more than Barb. Her house was filled with photos of family, friends, and her beloved Tortoiseshell cats Bianca, Kara, and Maya. Like her parents Barb was fond of dogs, and she and Grandma’s dog Reilly became fast-friends and companions the last years of her life. Professionally, she first began work as a stenographer, and then spent the remainder of her career in hospitality. Always a favorite with clients she won an employee of the year award from the Wyndham Hotel in Phoenix.
Barb was a faithful friend, many of her friendships lasting more than forty years. Sally Korth, who lovingly helped care for Barb in her final days, met her in their first-year English class at OLM. And Anny Doig, close to Bernie and Eileen, provided sisterly support and fun for Barb over the years.
Barb was an avid reader and especially craved her morning paper or any out-of- town newspapers. The first part she turned to was sports section, and even in the driest seasons she was a Tiger fan and enjoyed attending games. She loved music and her tastes ran to everything from pop to jazz to classical. A Motown girl Barb never wasted any of the dancing skills she so carefully honed in her family’s basement.
In 1998 she returned to that home in North Rosedale Park, where she provided special care to her mom in her final illness. She was a faithful member of St. Scholastica’s Parish and good neighbor lavishing attention on the local children and providing biscuits to the dogs she met on her many regular walks. The biscuits were a natural extension of Barb’s commitment to the respectful treatment of animals and conservation. Her parents’ daughter she was also financially generous to those persons who were experiencing economic deprivation and marginalization.
During this time she made the decision to join AA and went to two meetings a week and celebrated more than seven years of sobriety, something in which she took special pride. She found and created fellowship in the program, developing special friendships with other members.
One of the quotes frequently shared at “the tables” is Dorothy Bernard’s observation: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” This was certainly true as Barb faced her illness and her dying.
In the words of AA’s Third and Eleventh Steps Barb made a decision to turn her will and her life over to the care of God as she understood God; and she sought through prayer and meditation to improve her conscious contact with God … praying only for knowledge of God’s will for her and the power to carry that out. Barb touched many lives and will be dearly missed.
Barbara Ellen Bauer, age 61 of Detroit, died on February 16, 2011.She was born December 20, 1949, in Darien, CT. She was the beloved daughter of the late Ann E. and Albert E. Bauer. Dearest sister and friend of Gilmary Bauer RSM, Patricia Bauer, Eileen Bauer (Chan Kakar), and Matthew Bauer (Martha).Barbara was preceded in death by siblings Timothy, Thomas, Bernadette (Sexton), and Christopher. She was the devoted aunt to Chelsea Hilton (Travis), Jessica Bauer-Greene, Colin Kelly, Ruben Gonzalez, Lizbeth Sherman, Crystal Moyers (Rory), Thomas Bauer, Kieran Bauer Kakar, Michael Sexton and Brian Sexton, and Great-Aunt to Shirin Amini, Kaelin Sherman, Kiera Gonzalez and Josie, Jack, and Zoe Hilton. Barbara was the loving godmother to Shellee Martin. She leaves behind many friends and neighbors and her beloved cat, Maya.
Barb carried on her parents’ wishes to help animals and persons less fortunate. Visitation will be held at the McAuley Center, 28750 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Farmington Hills on Thursday, February 17, 2011 from 4:00pm until 9:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00pm. A funeral mass will also be held at the McAuley Center on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mercy Education Project: http://www.mercyed.net.,or the Michigan Humane Society. Arrangements by http://www.mccabefuneralhome.com.
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