BARBARA TOWARNICKY (SEWELL)

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BARBARA TOWARNICKY (nee SEWELL) Loving mother and adoring grandmother, Barbara Towarnicky (nee Sewell), 81, of Mineral Wells, WV died March 5, 2014 in Parkersburg W.Va. She was born in Canada in 1932. She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and attended nursing school at the Winnipeg Children's Hospital where she earned a Registered Nurse degree in 1953. She met her future husband, Dr. Marvin Towarnicky, while he was a medical student in the ER at Winnipeg General Hospital. They married in 1955 and moved to the U.S. to set up a medical practice in Fessenden, ND where they were very active in the community for 45 years. They raised five successful children - three sons and two daughters. In 2003 she moved to be near her son James and his family in Mineral Wells, WV. She really enjoyed the beauty of the area, her new friends, and being close to family. Barb loved spending time with her grandchildren Matthew and Rachael. She attended the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church. Barb had a deep passion for flower and vegetable gardening. She was nationally recognized with the Lady Bird Johnson Garden of the Year award. She was happiest outdoors and taught her husband and children how to hunt and fish. She spent much of her life nursing others, but in her final years she herself needed professional nursing. The family is grateful to all of those who took care of Barb. In WV, her son James and his children were there to support her through this tough time.Barb was preceded in death by her husband in 2000. She is survived by her children Michael (Laura) Towarnicky, New Bern, NC, James Towarnicky, Parkersburg, WV, Edward (Joanie) Towarnicky, Grand Blanc, MI, Mary (James) du Bois, Minneapolis, MN, Nancy Towarnicky, Vancouver, WA, and her 11 grandchildren. She is also survived by her four siblings, Trevor Sewell, Winnipeg, MB, Don (Doran) Sewell, Winnipeg, MB, Joyce Herrick, Surrey, BC, Harley (Sharon) Sewell, Langley, BC, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel Lawn Memorial Garden and Funeral Home located at 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3K 1W3. Funeral Home 204-982-8100.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2014