Barbara Ann Bownes McLetchie

Dr. Barbara Ann Bownes McLetchie, 78, of New England died at peace on Sunday July 28, 2024.

Barbara—who often went by “Barbie”—was born in New York City on June 2, 1946, to Irja Katarina Martikainen Bownes, the daughter of Finnish immigrant farmers in Maine and Hugh Henry Bownes, the Bronx son of Northern Irish immigrants.

Barbara grew up in the idyllic setting of Laconia, New Hampshire in the 1950’s, with her parents and her twin younger brothers, Ernie and David. Her mother was very active in the Democratic Party and many major elections. Barbara’s father was a prominent local lawyer, elected mayor of Laconia, and was ultimately a federal judge. As a kid, Barbara was a skier, water skier, and lifeguard. Always one to stand up for the underdog, she first met her future husband and love of her life, Olaf, in elementary school, when she protected him from bullies who found his British accent and school clothing strange. Barbara fondly remembered her time in New Hampshire and fun with her brothers and cousins, including at her grandparents’ farm.

Barbara was always a good student, and she graduated from Laconia High School, in 1964, She then followed in the footsteps of her aunt Helen Martikainen, and attended Bates College, where she graduated in 1968 with a degree in English. During college, she was actively involved in theater, a life-long passion she shared with her brother David and her son Scott. Barbara studied abroad in Manchester, England with her roommate Judy–a lifelong friend-and traveled extensively with Helen, who lived in Geneva.

During her last year in college, Barbara reconnected with Olaf, who had grown into a debonair medical student studying in Nova Scotia. They dated long-distance while Barbara got her master’s degree from Boston College. Barbara’s graduate studies were enriched by living in the dorms at Perkins School for the Blind.

Barbara and Olaf married in 1969 and started a life in Nova Scotia. Barbara taught deaf children while Olaf completed his medical studies. Their daughter Margaret (Maggie) was born a few years later and Antony joined the family shortly thereafter. The family enjoyed gardening and time on the ocean, sailing and cold-water swimming.

In 1976, the family moved to Boston, Massachusetts where Olaf received a fellowship from the Harvard School of Public Health. Barbie walked herself to the hospital to give birth to their third and final child, Hugh Scott. Before moving to Dedham, the family lived in Harvard’s International House in Jamaica Plain and made friends from all over the world.

After they moved to Dedham, Barbara–while working full-time–continued her own education. Studying with her friend Dr. Sherrill Butterfield, she got her PhD in Special Education from Boston College in 1987. Throughout her career, Barbara was an exemplary teacher, author and professor–and a fierce advocate for students with disabilities. She believed in the value of all human beings and their capacity for communication. She traveled the world, multiplying her impact by training many fellow educators. In 2012, Perkins awarded Barbara the Anne Sullivan Macy Medal, the highest honor awarded by Perkins. Barbara also received the Lifetime Achievement award from Deafblind International in 2019. Barbara was proud that Tony became a leader in deaf education.

Later in life Barbara moved west, chasing the sun and more months of swimming time. In 2009, Barbara landed in Las Vegas, where her daughter lives and has an active civil rights law practice. In Vegas, Barbara enjoyed life, her dog, traveling and many visits, including frequent visits from her son Scott, an actor living in Los Angeles. Barbara continued her international deafblind work for many years and channeled her passion for education by working with a local blind boy and his family. Barbara also made new friends and enjoyed time with her daughter and son-in-law and their many pets.

Barbara always loved animals. The family had a menagerie-goats, ducks, rabbits, many dogs and cats, and even a few fish-over the years. Barbara also loved traveling, swimming, eating lobster, and trips to the ocean. She was also a fierce opponent in Scrabble until her final days.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Olaf R. McLetchie, and brother, David Bownes. Barbara is survived by all three of her children, her brother Ernest Bownes, her three beloved grandchildren, and many friends and extended family. A celebration of life will be held on September 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian Church in Laconia, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Perkins School for the Blind in her name.