Barbara Kowalski, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, artist, teacher, and peace advocate, passed away in her home on July 27, 2025. She was 96 years old.

Born October 25, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, Barbara was the only child of Anna and Russell Blanchard. In 1947, while attending the University of Colorado in Boulder, she married Jerome V. Kowalski, beginning a life together that took them from Vernal, Utah, to Denver, Colorado, where they raised six children.

Creativity, curiosity, and generosity defined Barbara’s life. She taught art to adults through the University of Colorado and Denver Public Schools beginning in 1963, later earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Denver in 1978. In 1980, she was co-owner and curator of the Zuni Gallery in Denver, where she featured emerging artists and exhibited her own work. At the height of her career she was invited to Chicago for a solo exhibit.

In 1987, Barbara moved to Corona del Mar, California, where she continued to pursue her art and participated in the “Beyond War” peace organization. She was active with others in attempting to save open space in Newport Beach. By 1994, she relocated to Bainbridge Island, Washington, to be near family. There she volunteered at Yes! Magazine for 13 years, participated in the “Women in Black” peace movement, and exhibited her work at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts. She loved being an art docent, collaborating with a Wilkes Elementary School teacher for many years to create student calendars for the Ometepe project. Known as “Gramma B”, she encouraged the natural creativity in children.

Barbara’s passions extended beyond her artwork to her home and gardens, her friendships, and, most of all, her family. She is survived by her six children—Dan, Jenny, Lissa, Todd, Gregg, and Karen; ten grandchildren—Duncan, Julia, Hanna, Jackson, Eva, Vince, Peter, Anna, Ben, and Elizabeth—plus five great-grandchildren.

Barbara will be remembered as a creative, and loving woman whose bright generous spirit touched all who knew her. She lived a full and rich life, one that will remain an inspiration to many.

Barbara’s family is hosting a Celebration of Life open house, October 18th, 2:00-4:00 PM at her home, 705 Alder Ave. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA.