Barbara J. Dowling

Barb was born in Alpena, MI on April 24, 1935 to James and Florence (Maciejewski) Szejbach. She graduated from Catholic Central High School in Alpena in 1953, and married Richard “Dick” Dowling at St. Anne Church on June 5, 1954.

Barb was known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Busha.” They never failed to receive holiday and birthday cards with a little personal note and some “Busha Bucks.”

Barb is survived by her five children, James (Kay) Dowling of Marquette, Joan (Ken) Schetter of Fort Meyers Beach, FL, Kevin (Mary) Dowling of Marquette, Sarah Dowling Salvatori of Alpena and Florence (Chris Taylor) Dowling of Marquette; grandchildren, Chris (Laura Passic) Schetter, Emily (Will) Johnson, David Salvatori, Tara (Ryan) Korslin and Patrick Dowling; great grandchildren, Geneva and Kai Schetter, and Reed Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick; seven siblings, Harold Szejbach, Blondyne (William “Chick”) Klimek, Violet (Archie) Lewandowski, Doris (Edward) Partyka, Phyllis (Edward) Koppal, Stanley (Arlene) Szejbach and David (Janie) Szejbach.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 5th at 2 p.m. at St. Peter Cathedral with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until the time of the Mass in the Bishop’s Room of the cathedral. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Alpena.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Beacon House, 1414 W. Fair Ave., Suite 204, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Bishop Baraga Association, 615 S. Fourth St., Marquette, MI 49855.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Dowling family where memories of Barb may be shared at canalefuneral.com.