Barbara Elaine Kenan, 90 years young, was born Barbara Elaine Bowen on July 11, 1926 in Watertown, New York to parents Merl and Helen Bowen. She attended the Watertown Public Schools through high school and then attended Wooster College in Wooster, Ohio, graduating in 1948 with a B.A. degree. In 1950, Barbara and two very close friends, Margaret Mather and Letty Kirch, traveled to Europe via steamship, where they had an exciting and adventurous time touring the European countries by rail.

After college, Barbara was employed by the Jefferson County Social Services Dept., where her specialization became Adoption Services, which she competently and lovingly carried out for many years.

All her life, Barbara was very active in church work. In Watertown, she was a committed member of the First Presbyterian Church in which she assumed various leadership roles. It was in the Young Adult Fellowship at First Presbyterian where she met Ralph Kenan, a young chemical engineer, and they fell in love and were married in 1952.

It was ironic that Barbara, having taken on the specialization of children’s adoption in her work life, which she loved, found herself and Ralph later themselves choosing to adopt. And thus, over several years, they adopted three wonderful children: Andrew, Daniel, and Karen, who became part of the Kenan family to their parents delight.

Barbara loved her family, her husband, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved being a mother and saw her parenting role as a privilege. She also loved the dogs the family adopted and always considered them a part of the family.

The Kenans moved from New City, New York to Pensacola, Florida in 1972 where they soon joined Trinity Presbyterian Church, with both Barbara and Ralph becoming very active in various leadership roles and participating in the programs and activities, including retreats at Dogwood Acres, Bible Study groups and Sunday School.

The Kenans traveled frequently, most often pulling their pop up camper, exploring the various National Parks and visiting with friends and relatives throughout the United States and Canada. Upon Ralph’s retirement from St. Regis Paper Company, they traveled the world through Grand Circle tours, visiting many European countries, as well as Turkey, Russia, Thailand, Australia, and Alaska.

After 44 years in their home, Barbara and Ralph moved to Summer Vista Assisted Living in 2016, adjusting to their new apartment lifestyle, making new friends, receiving old ones, and accepting limitations.


Throughout her life, Barbara was an extremely giving person. She loved people, and constantly made new friends, reveled in her longtime friends, and kept close ties with all through weekly letter writing and cards for all occasions.

She was known for her love of cooking and was constantly sharing her special treats with friends, shut-ins and others who just needed her loving care. Her family and many friends associated her with certain recipes such as her bran muffins, casseroles, and french silk pie, and she always gave you a “no thank-you helping”, even if you didn’t want a taste!

But Barbara would often say that she had had a very good life, and she was so very grateful to God for his many blessings. She always considered her goal in life was to serve God, to touch the needs of others with God's love and care. Well done, faithful servant, well done.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Merl and Helen Bowen, her in-laws James and Hazel Kenan, her daughter Karen Nicholson, her grandson Sean Kenan and her niece Cindy Bowen. She is survived by her husband Ralph, sons Andy and Dan (and daughter in law Cheryl), grandchildren Christopher, Rochelle, Christina, Quincy, Ashley and Daniel; and 3 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Bruce M. Bowen (Loyce); and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews from New York to Ohio to Washington DC.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Barbara’s name to Manna Food Pantries, Covenant Hospice, or Trinity Presbyterian Church.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4 pm on Thursday, April 6, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd., Pensacola.

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