Barbara Barlow Borcherding

Born in Logan, Ohio to Samuel Bright and Lillian Brown, Barbara was an only child, raised in a loving extended family. She graduated from East High School in Columbus, Ohio and attended Morehead State University in Kentucky where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and received a degree in Elementary Education.

Barbara loved her experience at Morehead State University and felt that it was during her college years where her life truly began. Following graduation, Barbara moved back to Columbus, Ohio where she embarked on her 33-year long career as an elementary school teacher. She was married to Richard Barlow for 21 years and had three daughters – Susan (Sue), Ann and Sallie.

Following retirement from teaching, Barbara moved to Houston, Texas in 1988 to be closer to her girls and their growing families. It was shortly after Barbara’s move to the Lone Star State when she met Harlan Borcherding. The two were immediately inseparable and after a quick courtship, they married in 1990 in the presence of family and friends in Houston.

Throughout their 22 years of marriage, Barbara and Harlan shared an unwavering adoration for one another – they were the best of friends and shared many interests and hobbies – they loved to travel, had a passion for sports (particularly Ohio State Football and the Houston Rockets) and in the earlier years of their marriage, they spent many weekends boating on Lake Conroe. They enjoyed golf, card games, movies and entertaining family and friends. Their beloved dog, Lady, would often take rides in their golf cart or in Harlan’s red convertible. They always had a busy social calendar. They attended concerts and went dancing – in fact their love of dancing prompted Barbara to start The Woodlands Dance Club.

Most importantly, Barbara and Harlan shared a deep love for their large, blended family and enjoyed any opportunity to be with their children and grandchildren. Following Harlan’s untimely death, Barbara moved to an independent living community located along The Woodlands Waterway. She enjoyed living among “the action” and would ride her scooter along the Waterway, listen to music outside The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and enjoyed having dinner at one of Market Street’s hot spots.

She spent time decorating her apartment, became incredibly tech-savvy and would FaceTime her family and friends and keep up with Facebook. She was a devout Democrat. She played Euchre with her daughters regularly and enjoyed the companionship of her dear friend, Al.

For those of you who were lucky enough to know Barbara, it is very challenging to sum up her life and her vivacious personality in an obituary. She was a kind, generous, loving, wise and witty woman – her innocent, naive nature made for some of her best “Barbarisms.” Her mind remained incredibly sharp – even until the very end of her life.

Barbara is survived by her daughters Susan (Sue) (Rich Abbott), Ann (Hanson) and Sallie (Kevin Kindrick), stepchildren Randy (Jennifer Borcherding) and Anne-Marie (John Kuzmich) as well as grandchildren – Alyson (Aly) Hanson Hite (Bates), Kyle Hanson, Kristopher (Kris) Kindrick (Kat), Carly Kindrick-Price (Alex), Colton (Cole) Kindrick, Faith Abbott, Dustin Oehlke (Rachel), Randy Nicole Jamison (Andrew) and Christian Borcherding (Lexi). Barbara also enjoyed her great grandchildren, Barlow and Lillian Hite, Klaire and Klyde Kindrick and Logan Jamison. She was told of great grandbaby Kindrick-Price’s impending arrival in June 2022.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Harlan Borcherding and grandson Matthew (Matt) Strickland.

A celebration of Barbara’s life is being held Saturday, February 12th at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 18000 Interstate 45 South, The Woodlands, Texas. Light reception to follow.

Donations to mdanderson.org are welcomed and appreciated.

Although she will be greatly missed, we find comfort in knowing that Barbara has been reunited with her beloved Harlan, grandson Matt, and adored dog Lady – and is likely already decorating her “new digs” in Heaven.