Barbara Boardman

     Barbara Winslow Boardman, 65, of Media, Pa., formerly of Spencer, passed away March 26.

     She was born August 2, 1957, in Spencer, Iowa, the fourth child of Wayne and Mary Annette “Sammy” Winslow. At Spencer High School, she was a standout in debate, winning the state title in Extemporaneous Speaking.

     Barbara graduated in 1979 from the Medill School of Journalism of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she lived from 1979 to 2013. She used her journalistic training in a variety of ways. She worked as a newspaper reporter for The Bellingham Herald and the Journal-American of Bellevue. She then earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Washington, and taught writing at North Seattle Community College for about a decade, teaching primarily students who were the first in their families to attend college. She also worked extensively as an editor, leading a humanities magazine for Washington state’s community colleges and editing literary books for publication. Barbara loved the written word, and wrote many poems and personal essays for her own edification. 

     In 1984, Barbara married David Boardman, whom she met at Northwestern. (As he tells it, “I met her when we were freshmen; she met me when we were seniors. She didn’t notice me for four years but I sure noticed her.”) He followed her to the Northwest and ultimately became executive editor of The Seattle Times, where he leaned on Barbara as his close and constant advisor.

     Barbara and David had two daughters, Emily and Madeline. During their childhood in Seattle, Barbara devoted most of her time to raising them.

     In 2013, Barbara and David moved to Media, Pa., when David became Dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication school at Temple University in Philadelphia. She continued to be an active partner in his professional life.

     Barbara enjoyed music of many genres, reading, long walks, the ocean, and was passionate about her hobby of genealogical research into the family trees of both the Winslows and the Boardmans – a gift she has left for subsequent generations. She never met a stranger, and was known for her keen sense of humor and infectious smile.

     In her mid-50s, Barbara was afflicted with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease, which ultimately took her life. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, David; daughters Emily Boardman Ndulue (Uchenna) and Madeline Boardman (Scott Ritter). She is also survived by two grandchildren, Chinyelu Grace Ndulue and Emeka Will Ndulue; sister Mimi Winslow; brothers Thomas and Charles Winslow, and their families. Her lifelong network of friends will also miss her sense of humor and smile. 

     Friends are invited to attend funeral services on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, 145 Rose Tree Rd., Media.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Cavanagh Patterson Funeral Home. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, in Spencer at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Friends are welcome at the Service and invited to a reception at the Spencer Golf & Country Club immediately following.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, April 2, 2023  at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County in Media, PA.

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 A.M.,  Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, IA. Friends are welcome at the Service and invited to a reception at the Spencer Golf & Country Club immediately following.

Riverside Cemetery
Spencer, Iowa