Obituary for Beverly Campbell (Barker)
Beverly May Fowle Campbell, age 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of May 19th, 2023, in Wrentham, MA.
Beverly was born on Memorial Day, May 30th,1934 in Buffalo, New York to Wilfrid Lincoln Barker, formerly of London, England, and Ethel Ritchie (Ross) Barker, formerly of Inverness, Scotland. She graduated from Kenmore High School in 1952.
She married Kenneth Osborn Fowle, an electrical engineer from Cleveland, Ohio, on July 16th, 1955 in Kenmore, New York.
Beverly served as a medical secretary at Kenmore Mercy Hospital before moving from Tonawanda, New York to Medfield, Massachusetts in 1969 and lived there until 2001. She primarily dedicated herself to homemaking but held many other positions throughout her life. She was a school bus driver for the Medfield Public Schools, a medical secretary for a plastic surgeon, an administrative assistant at Glover Memorial Hospital, and a Needham Welcome Wagon representative, where she curated an enviable welcome basket for new Needham residents.
Beverly was passionate about her faith and was a lifelong volunteer at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Norfolk. She was elected the first female trustee of the church and was active in many church groups, including Ladies Fellowship, Adult Fellowship, Hospitality Committee, Pioneer Girls, Vacation Bible School, Senior Women’s Bible Study, Pastoral Search Committees, as well as serving as a Deaconess and Sunday morning greeter. Beverly was a founding member of the Woman of Wisdom group for the widows of the church after she became widowed in 1994.
Beverly shared her faith beyond the church as well. She was a guest speaker for the Christian Women’s Club (CWC) and spoke at many CWC events throughout New England. She also traveled to South Africa with her church on a health education mission trip.
Known for her exceptional hosting skills, Beverly delighted in opening her home to others. She participated in the church’s Home for the Holidays program each Christmas and welcomed local nursing home residents to eat with her family on Thanksgiving.
Beverly was exceptionally proud of her Scottish heritage, and her home was always accented with tartan and plaid, pictures of West Highland White Terriers, Scottish knickknacks, and various golf paraphernalia (courtesy of her husband).
Beverly is survived by her daughter, Laura Hidden and her husband, William of Franklin, MA; her brother, W. Ross Barker and his wife Helen, of Portage, Michigan; her three grandchildren Samantha Hidden and her husband Brett, of Salem, Oregon; and Nathanael Hidden and Andrew Hidden, both of Franklin, MA; her great granddaughter Holly of Salem, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, her daughter, Linda (James) Cnossen, and her niece Jill (Todd) Jemison.
Visiting Hours will be Wednesday, May 31st, from 4 to 6 pm at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home in Medfield, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield.
Beverly was born on Memorial Day, May 30th,1934 in Buffalo, New York to Wilfrid Lincoln Barker, formerly of London, England, and Ethel Ritchie (Ross) Barker, formerly of Inverness, Scotland. She graduated from Kenmore High School in 1952.
She married Kenneth Osborn Fowle, an electrical engineer from Cleveland, Ohio, on July 16th, 1955 in Kenmore, New York.
Beverly served as a medical secretary at Kenmore Mercy Hospital before moving from Tonawanda, New York to Medfield, Massachusetts in 1969 and lived there until 2001. She primarily dedicated herself to homemaking but held many other positions throughout her life. She was a school bus driver for the Medfield Public Schools, a medical secretary for a plastic surgeon, an administrative assistant at Glover Memorial Hospital, and a Needham Welcome Wagon representative, where she curated an enviable welcome basket for new Needham residents.
Beverly was passionate about her faith and was a lifelong volunteer at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Norfolk. She was elected the first female trustee of the church and was active in many church groups, including Ladies Fellowship, Adult Fellowship, Hospitality Committee, Pioneer Girls, Vacation Bible School, Senior Women’s Bible Study, Pastoral Search Committees, as well as serving as a Deaconess and Sunday morning greeter. Beverly was a founding member of the Woman of Wisdom group for the widows of the church after she became widowed in 1994.
Beverly shared her faith beyond the church as well. She was a guest speaker for the Christian Women’s Club (CWC) and spoke at many CWC events throughout New England. She also traveled to South Africa with her church on a health education mission trip.
Known for her exceptional hosting skills, Beverly delighted in opening her home to others. She participated in the church’s Home for the Holidays program each Christmas and welcomed local nursing home residents to eat with her family on Thanksgiving.
Beverly was exceptionally proud of her Scottish heritage, and her home was always accented with tartan and plaid, pictures of West Highland White Terriers, Scottish knickknacks, and various golf paraphernalia (courtesy of her husband).
Beverly is survived by her daughter, Laura Hidden and her husband, William of Franklin, MA; her brother, W. Ross Barker and his wife Helen, of Portage, Michigan; her three grandchildren Samantha Hidden and her husband Brett, of Salem, Oregon; and Nathanael Hidden and Andrew Hidden, both of Franklin, MA; her great granddaughter Holly of Salem, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, her daughter, Linda (James) Cnossen, and her niece Jill (Todd) Jemison.
Visiting Hours will be Wednesday, May 31st, from 4 to 6 pm at the Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home in Medfield, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life service at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield.