Barbara Bonham Dowling passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2014 at her home. Mrs. Dowling, born October 16, 1916, was the daughter of the late Nellie Sheldrake Murphy and Harry Lawrence Bonham. She was a Newark native and a graduate of Tower Hill School and the University of Delaware.

She married Frank Kahler Scott in 1941. Together they raised their three children. They came to a friendly parting of ways in 1968 and were divorced. He died in 1981.

In 1970 she married Robert Edmund Dowling. He brought a lot of joy and laughter into her life for their short time together. He died in 1971.

Barbara Dowling was a homemaker who, for more than seven decades, poured love into her children and later their partners/spouses, her grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she ‘adopted’ as her own. Even into her early 90s she eagerly traveled cross-country to visit her three children, and their families.

She was a devoted friend, always ready to lend a helping hand or enjoy being together – for a game of bridge or golf, a meal, a play or a visit.

She hosted an interdenominational Bible Study in the 70s and 80s, and was an active long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving on the board of trustees and the board of deacons.

She was a lifetime member of the Newark Country Club, which her father helped found. She was a member of the Newark Senior Center where she enjoyed the duplicate bridge and book group.

She is survived by a son, Frank Kahler Scott, Jr. and his wife, Vickie, of Naples, Florida and two daughters, Sandra Castellino of Santa Barbara, California and Carol Scott Robertson and her partner, Cynthia (Klake) Clakley of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Cody Scott and wife, Giuliana, Andrew Scott and wife, Kelly, and Sasha Castellino; two step grandchildren, Sean Castellino and his wife, Michelle and Julia Robertson and husband, Matthew Ciaramitaro, great granddaughter, Amanda Christina Scott; and five step great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2015 in the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19711, where family and friends may visit beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made payable to the First Presbyterian Church of Newark or to BEBA (Building and Enhancing Bonding and Attachment): A Center for Healing and sent in care to R.T. Foard and Jones, Inc, 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE 19711.