Barbara Jo Palmer

Barbara "Barb" Jo Palmer, age 68, of Moran, Michigan, passed away February 8th, 2023, at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey, from complications related to lung cancer. She was born in Saginaw, Michigan, the only daughter of William and Ruth (Gehrcke) Dowis. Barb graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1972. She was an exceptional athlete in both girls fast-pitch softball (as their star pitcher, she went undefeated for 4 years) and volleyball. Barb moved to the Kalamazoo area in the late 70's where she worked several jobs including at Hardings Market in Oshtemo, Michigan, for several years. She finally landed a job at the Upjohn Co. in 1988 working her way up to QA inspector/trainer. She retired in 2012 after 24 years of service, leaving behind many best friends and fond memories. She met her husband John at a work gathering (by asking HIM to dance) in 1982 and they were married in 1985 in East Jordan, Michigan. They eventually settled in the countryside of Schoolcraft where they raised their son, Nicholas. At this time, Barb's latent love for gardening and flowers blossomed big time, as did her interest in making pottery. As a potterist, she owes her unique designs and techniques to Leona Janke, their country neighbor (and world renown potter) - who mentored her for years. Later on in life, Barb picked up golf, and fell in love with the game; within a few years she was shooting in the 30's and won many long drive contests. Barb was a go-getter; always busy making something for her son and his friends by hand (she knew power tools well), making Christmas ornaments for some sort of charity, or holding the family annual "Garden Party" in which she hid many trinkets for people to find around the garden and win prizes. After spending 25 years in Schoolcraft, Barb and John decided to retire to their cabin on Brevort Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and built a new home on the lake shore. Barb was the driving force in drawing the layout of the new house which turned out beautiful. Again, a new garden was planted, boxed off here and there (raised beds galore), and within three years with her odd-ball knick-knacks placed in strategic places in the garden, it became a showplace where strangers would stop by to adore it. Out in her newly built studio, she made her pottery and sold her art at shows or to anyone who would wander by. She was never far from either working outside in her garden or in her studio making new orders. Even while being treated for cancer, she had to just get one more piece of pottery finished. She will be severely missed at Christmas (her favorite time of the year) where she hung her hand-made stockings, decorated the tree and house, baked all the goodies, and of course, bought all the presents (as her husband had an aversion to shopping). She will be missed by all her friends and neighbors. Barb had a knack for always seeing the positive in the most negative times and loved her grandkids beyond words. Barb is survived by her husband, John, their son Nick (Erica) of Moran; brothers, Steve (Donna) Dowis of Georgia, Mike (Kathy) Dowis of New Jersey, Greg (Julie) Dowis of Michigan and sister-in-law, Angela Dowis of Tennessee. Barb is preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Chris Dowis. Per Barb's request, no funeral will be held and cremation will take place. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 2:00PM at W2860 Luepnitz Lane Moran, MI 49760. To honor Barb's memory, please give a friend or family member a big hug and tell them how much you love them. The family wishes to thank all the hard working and compassionate nurses and staff at the Mackinac Straits ER and Oncology Dept, and the Petoskey McLaren Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: MSH Foundation, 1140 N. State St, St. Ignace, MI 49781, for No Cancer Patient Left Behind - Oncology Unit Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.

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Barbara Jo Palmer

November 28, 1954 - February 8, 2023