Gail I Melanson

Barlow Melanson, Gail “BG” (age 73) Sadly, Mom passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2011. She was born on February 3, 1937, in North Dakota to William and Alma (Nelson) Knoke. The family moved to Spokane in 1942. She met Lou Barlow in 1954 and they married upon her graduation from Rogers High School in 1955. Mom was very active in the lives of her children and grandchildren including Scouts, Campfire, Jr. Sheriff’s Posse, Rainbow Girls, and their many school activities, primarily sports, music programs, and marching band. Mom was a devoted sorority sister in Beta Sigma Phi, and over the years enjoyed bowling in various leagues. Mom went horseback riding, enjoyed snowmobiling, and loved spending summers at the cabin on Hayden Lake. She loved to travel, and she and Dad had roamed the Western States, as well as Canada and Mexico quite frequently. She would happily hop on a plane for more distant adventures, and discovered the joy of cruising. Her husband of 46 years, Lou, passed away unexpectedly in 2001. Mom met and married Gene in 2004, at which time she took up golf and returned to league bowling. Always the traveler, she enjoyed her trips to San Diego, Canada, and Connecticut with Gene as well as their jaunts to the casino. BG is lovingly survived by her husband, Gene Melanson; sister, Carol Rosauer; her children: Rick Barlow, Gail (Gerry) Groth, Lynette (Jim) Bailey; son-in-law, Dennis Murphy; step-children: Rick (Debby) Melanson, Debi (Randall) Ogle, and Jayme (Rick) Bowman; her twelve grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and one on the way! She is preceded in death by her parents, husband LaRue Barlow, Jr., sister Barbara Knoke, and daughter Kathy Murphy. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12th, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church, 13009 E. Broadway, Spokane Valley, WA. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Gail to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 8717, Spokane, WA 99203.