Barbara Ann Brower, age 94, of Dunnellon, FL, passed away on February 5, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Flushing, New York, to Anna and Harry Chester, she grew up in Queens and attended William Cullen Bryant High School in Long Island City. After graduating from high school, Barbara began her career as an executive secretary working for a variety of corporations, including Pan Am.

In 1957, she met the love of her life, Robert Brower, at a Billy Graham crusade in New York City. They were married the following year on December 6th, settling as newlyweds in Sunnyside, Queens. There they welcomed their first child, Dean Robert. After three years, they crossed the GW bridge, moving to Ridgewood, New Jersey, eventually purchasing a home in Midland Park. There they added to their family with a daughter, Deanne Barbara.

Alongside her husband, Barbara was an active attendee of Hawthorne Gospel Church, where she served in a variety of roles, including VBS teacher and Helping Hands volunteer. She was recognized as one of the longest-serving members of the church choir, lending her beautiful voice to many solos and duets with her husband.

After her husband’s retirement, they sold their home of 49 years and moved closer to their daughter and family in Florida. There, they spent nearly nine years becoming part of a warm and giving community, enjoying the friendships and connections they made.

A gifted seamstress and talented artist, Barbara spent countless hours creating stained glass chandeliers and window ornaments, often showcasing her work at local fairs. She also lovingly made clothing and home décor for her family and friends, enjoyed her ceramics class and tended to her garden.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws; her infant brother, Harry Chester; her brother and his wife, Richard and Loretta Chester; her son, Dean Robert Brower; sisters-in-laws Mabel VanDenBerg, and Evelyn Gruenberg and her husband, Ralph Gruenberg; two grandsons, Robert Brower and Tyler Brower.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Robert Brower; her daughter, Deanne Allard (Richard); her grandchildren, Evan, Julia, Dustin, Amber, and Amanda; four great-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, along with many close friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held at Harvest Church in Citrus Springs, Fl on Saturday, March 7th, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Samaritan’s Purse or Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.