Obituary for Barbara Trowbridge Newcom

BARBARA KENT TROWBRIDGE NEWCOM August 19, 1927 – December 10, 2023 Barbara Trowbridge was born at home on August 19, 1927 in Independence, MO to Kenneth and Alene (Hudson) Trowbridge. Barb was an active young girl, climbing trees to pick green apples, caring for her dog, Nippy, and dancing tap, ballet and jazz in recitals. She made friends easily and that lasted throughout her entire life. When she was getting ready to start her junior year, her dad who was in management at Union Station, was transferred to the Pentagon to route trains during the war. Barb had to leave all of her childhood friends behind. Then her mom got sick the next summer and passed away the first day of her senior year. It was a tough time for her, but the following year she went to Graceland College where she was interviewed in the Student Union by a handsome man in uniform for a job at his parents’ burger place, The Pantry. Barb was hired and worked for his parents. The son who interviewed her, Kenneth Newcom, started writing to her from his ship. They were married on August 31, 1947. They were true soul mates who never raised their voices. They had two daughters, Linda and Susan, born 15 months apart. Ken and Barb moved frequently due to his job, so the family lived in Minnesota, Arizona and Iowa before the girls were out of elementary school. Barb became an expert packer! She was active in their RLDS congregation for many years and then at Buckner Restoration Church. She was a Blue Bird, Skylark and Oriole leader, Sunday School teacher, Women’s Leader and Recorder. Barb sewed all of the girls’ clothes until they were out of Elementary School. She was an excellent cook, baker and artist of various mediums. She even joined a senior dance group when she was in her 60s. Barb loved the Lord and her family. She always made sure everyone was taken care of before she took care of herself. Barb loved dogs. She had a dog throughout her life until shortly before she moved into Assisted Living. She also loved, in no particular order, chocolate malts, sweet tea and M&Ms. Barb Newcom passed on to a much better life and a healthy body on December 10, 2023, at 6:55pm after suffering a stroke the night before. She was 96 years old. Her husband, Kenny, passed away in 1997 and her daughter, Linda, passed away in 2011. She leaves behind her daughter, Susan (Independence, MO), grandsons Chad (Pep) Jones in Wayne, NJ and Justin (Tiffany) Jones in Sibley and great-grandchildren, Jenna and Trenton Jones. She was so proud of her family and never went without telling them she loved them, was proud of them and to remain active in the church. The Memorial Service will be held at Buckner Restoration Branch, 2607 N Twyman Rd, Independence, MO 64058 on February 3, 2024. Visitation will be at 2:00pm followed by a Memorial Service at 3:00pm. Please, no flowers, only prayers for Barb’s family and friends. Thank you to her family, friends and caregivers for their prayers and support. We would also like to thank Cedarhurst of Blue Springs for taking excellent care of her and loving her for over two years and Ascend Hospice for their care the past year.