Barbara Davidson Croswell

Barbara Davidson Croswell, 95, a life-long learner and teacher, died March 29 at Otterbein Sunset House in Ottawa Hills, Ohio. She moved from Maine to Ohio in 2014 after the death of her husband to be close to her daughter Kathy Crowther and son-in-law. She was fully engaged in life until a recent decline.

Born in 1927 to Dr. Harold B. Davidson and Helen Klingenstein Davidson in New York City, she graduated from Lincoln School of Teachers College. She studied psychology at Vassar College, graduating cum laude in 1948. She then attended Columbia University working toward her PhD in anthropology. She married Gordon L. Jacobs in 1954.

After her two children were school age, Barbara taught elementary school and then high school social studies before becoming an administrative assistant for Allied Chemical Corporation in New Jersey. Her first marriage ended in divorce. She married Glendon A. Croswell in 1980 and they retired to Camden, Maine and later Gorham, Maine.

Barbara was a progressive thinker and social justice advocate her entire life, working with community organizations in New Jersey and Maine. She volunteered at libraries, domestic violence prevention programs, and the American Association of University Women. She produced newsletters for several nonprofits. She was involved for many years at Unitarian Universalist congregations in Morristown, New Jersey and in Maine. She was a Sunday School teacher, Religious Education Director, and took on numerous other volunteer responsibilities. She enjoyed becoming a member of the First Unitarian Church of Toledo, where she became an active member and made many friends.

She loved to read, swim, canoe, and attend book discussion groups. She became an amateur photographer and with her husband Glen enjoyed traveling throughout the United States with Elderhostel and throughout New England and Eastern Canada.

Survivors include a son Harold D. Jacobs (Marilyn) of Ocean Grove, New Jersey; daughter Kathy Crowther (Wayne) of Sylvania, Ohio; step children Thomas Croswell (Lisa Kelly-Croswell), Dr. Robert Croswell (Kim), Susan Croswell Khoda (Mike), and Ralph Croswell; grandchildren Cody D. Crowther, Paul B. Jacobs, Bennett A. Jacobs, and Margaux H. Jacobs, and many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Barbara donated her body to the University of Toledo Medical College. There will be a celebration of life at 1:00 pm on May 7, 2023 at the First Unitarian Church of Toledo. The family is grateful for the care Barbara received at Otterbein Sunset House and Ashanti Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood or the Unitarian Universalist Association.