Mrs. Barbara Chapman Rothwell

Barbara Chapman Rothwell, 91, formerly of Trenton, Grosse Ile and Palmetto, Florida, died peacefully at home with family at Atria Kinghaven on October 8, 2015. A funeral will be held at Martenson Trenton Chapel on October 15 at 10 am. Barbara was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Russell C. and Ruth (nee Wandless) Chapman. Her mother's family were Mayflower descendants with Revolutionary War history. Her father served in the cavalry in France during World War I. She grew up in Ipswich, Mass, where she and brother Dwight served for a time as crew for their father's fishing boat, the Tuna Too. She had an early love for vocal music, and would listen to Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy on 78s again and again. She was high school valedictorian and delivered the essay "American Youth in the Present World." She attended what is now the University of Massachusetts, then transitioned into nursing with time at Bryn Mawr and then at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She co-authored a medical article with Dr. Paul Dudley White while in Boston, a leading cardiologist of the day, on the topic of congestive heart failure. She met Jack when he was a 4th year Harvard medical student there. The Matron of Honor at their wedding was sister-in-law Rev. Pat Robbennolt. Barbara and Jack's careers in health care took the family to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, and finally Michigan. After raising five children, in the early 1970s Barbara pursued further studies and resumed her nursing career. Barbara had many skills and passions including gourmet cooking, reading, bridge, golf, knitting, travel, treasure hunting and bingo. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Dr. Walter "Jack" Rothwell. She is the beloved mother of five and grandmother of eight, with three great-grandchildren. ♥Steve Rothwell, wife Ann Wright and their daughters Margo and Julia Khalek ♥Walt Rothwell, wife Sarah and their son Patrick, wife Jenny and daughter Josie, and daughter Emily and husband Chris Dillis ♥David Rothwell, wife Pamela and their daughter Amanda ♥Barb Elgin, husband Jim and their daughter Courtney and son Carl ♥Jan Johnson, husband Chuck and their daughter Megan and her daughter Kadence and son Clayton, and daughter Katie She also had several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dwight Chapman. His widow Madeline McDaniel remains a dear member of the family. Please add your photos and stories to this site, and consider memorials. Services will be handled by the Trenton Chapel of the Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 3200 West Rd. (734-671-5400) or www.martenson.com/_mgxroot/page_10787.php) Click on the multimedia tab to view Barbara's video tribute.