Barbara "Bobbie" Haskell

Barbara (Bobbie) Haskell passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2017. In recent years she suffered several medical challenges, but with each one she determinedly said, “You take where you are now, and go from there.” And go from there she did. Despite her increasing limitations she still possessed great joy and interest in her family, relationships and world around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Loutrelle and Alston Dayton Bible, and her beloved husband of 57 years, Theodore J. Haskell. She is survived by three children and their spouses, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren: daughter, Judy and son-in-law Bill Gearing of Roanoke, Virginia; son Bruce and daughter-in-law Laurie Haskell and their children, Jenny Haskell of Cleveland and Kyle Haskell and wife (Julie) and their sons Kai and Brady all of Lansing; daughter Becky and son-in-law Bill Potts of New Jersey and their children Erin of Philadelphia, Joe and (Rachel) Potts and son Noah (Pittsburgh), Tom Potts of Pittsburgh and Lauren Potts of New Jersey.

Born on February 17, 1930 in Wyandotte, Michigan, Barbara graduated from Roosevelt High School in January 1948 and then enrolled in Michigan State University where she became “Bobbie”, taking on the nickname her grandfather had given her. There she met the “love of her life”, Ted Haskell, through Promenaders, a square dance club. Noting that they danced well together (even waltzes), he asked her to be his partner when they performed in demonstration sets around the state. He proposed to her on the “Engagement Bench” near Beaumont Tower at MSU and with her typical enthusiasm for things she said “yes” five times! They were married on September 16, 1950 and appropriately the top of their wedding cake held two hand-carved (by Ted) square dancers.

She was a faithful member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ for 62 years where she was very active, serving in many capacities: choir member, Board of Trustees member, Chair of the Personnel committee, Chair of the Pastoral Support Committee, Parish District Leader, served on the Lansing Council of Churches, and for three years taught the Wednesday Afternoon Sunday School Class. Teaching “her little angels”, as she called the high school girls in her Sunday School Class, was dear to her heart, as she always felt teaching and sharing life’s experiences with youth and children was one of the most important contributions a person could make. Similarly she was active in the Girl Scouts in the 1960’s, serving as a Brownie co-leader, Troop organizer, and Neighborhood District leader.

She was also involved in community service: serving in two PTA’s, Eastern High School’s “Teaching Teachers To Teach”, volunteering at Provincial Nursing Home, the MSU Clinical Center, and serving 13 years on the Bingham School/ Pilgrim Church “Special Friends Program”.

As these many activities show, she devoted her life to those things most dear to her, her family and her faith. Her exuberance for life and interest in other people always shone brightly through her, lighting the lives of all she met. She will be dearly missed.

Funeral Services will take place 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 1, 2017 with visitation one hour prior at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will be from 3:00-8:00 P.M. Friday, March 31, 2017 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes 900 E. Michigan Ave,. Lansing, Michigan.

For those desiring, contributions may be made in memory of Bobbie Haskell to Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ or Capital Area Humane Society 7095 W. Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.