Edith Barrowclough, (1950 – 2019) died at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix on April 5, 2019 following a two and a half year fight with pancreatic cancer. She was the former part owner and manager of Alaska Tax Service where she worked for many years.
As a child of a military family, she grew up in many places in Europe and the US. She was a brilliant student, won awards for marksmanship, and was a high school valedictorian. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated cum laude from the University of Texas with a degree in Latin American Affairs.
She worked several summers on aerial bowhead whale surveys in the Arctic recording data and documenting sightings. She loved movies and music, ocean kayaking, world travel, and exposure to other cultures. She enjoyed collecting arts and crafts directly from the artisans, and she loved to haggle in markets all over the world. She was an award winning photographer with a great eye for the shapes and colors of life. She was a generous humanitarian in thought, word, and deed, helping others, often taking them into her home for long stays, and making life-long friends she knew as her family. She loved drinking wine with friends. (You know who you are.)
She was preceded in death by her father John Barrowclough and is survived by her mother Inge Barrowclough, her husband of 37 years David McElroy, her son Brandon McElroy, her brothers John and Patrick Barrowclough, sisters-in-law Sue and Emily Barrowclough and Mary Bass, nieces Rebeckah and Julie, and nephews Adam and Ethan Barrowclough.
There will be a celebration in Anchorage at a later date. People are encouraged to submit thoughts, photos, and stories to the website
https://superstitionfuneralhome.com/edith-barrowclough .
And the woman on whom nothing is lost
Aims her camera with one hand,
And with the other in complete confidence
Passes the cup she’s been holding over her shoulder to the hand
In the desert behind her which is mine.
Dear Edie, We were so fortunate, you and I, to have met at a Tupperware party, feeling an instant closeness as we held our infant sons who were born a month apart. Over the next 34 years, our friendship grew and became rich, warm, caring, loving, filled with stimulating conversation over wonderful meals cooked by you. We enjoyed many trips together in Alaska, the lower 48 and international. You taught me what a good friendship was: being there in good times and bad, generous, giving, thoughtful, helpful, fun. I always knew I could count on you if I needed anything. Some of the fun included a roadtrip down the Oregon coast in the summer of 2016. You joined Sophie (my kitty) and I in the camper and off we went exploring the beaches and tidepools, touring lighthouses, sampling good cheese and fresh seafood. We enjoyed a play in Ashland, saw 2 fabulous live concerts in Jacksonville – K.D. Lange and the amazing Diana Ross, as well as enjoyed vineyards and wine tasting. A trip I’ll never forget. Just one of many. Mexico twice, Guatemala, kayaking in Kachemak Bay, sailing in Prince William Sound, hikes in the Wrangell Mountains, dipnetting with our kids on the Kenai. A frienship filled with so many memories I could fill a book with them. These many memories will keep you alive for me and I will never, ever forget you, not for a single day. Thank you for being in my life and giving me so much to remember. I miss you. I love you. I will think of you always. Be at peace.
Her character was well revealed in that I always wanted to meet and know more of her friends and family after knowing her, her son and husband.
I read with such sadness the news about Edie this morning in the Anchorage paper. She was my dear friend and my tax accountant. We got one glorious trip to Ketchikan together years ago and I hope to be able to locate those photos. She was beautiful inside and out and I so wanted to do floral macro photography with her. She had a marvelous curiosity about the world and its beauty. I will never forget her voice. David.. did you write the last paragraph in the obituary? Hauntingly beautiful and it brings me to tears every time. My prayers are surrounding your family. I loved her so much. Charlene Rector
It is not often one is gifted with a friendship that begins in high school and lasts over 50 years despite lifestyle changes, thousands of miles of distance and many challenges. A friendship that continued to grow with each other over the years, always cherished, fun and thoughtful when together, and the gift of meeting and embracing each other’s soulmates, your David and my Curt. No matter where you are, your friendship will always be cherished…and will be missed. Our hearts go out to David, Edith’s family and her friends. Peggy and Curt
Edith and David are my friends first from kayaking in British Columbia and later from our kayak trip to Cuba. Edith was a warm welcoming spirit from the first moment I met her on Vancouver Island with a twinkle in her eye and some shared wine…I regret that she has passed and send a warm hug to David and her community of friends and family.
The Banta family arrived 22 years ago to see the most incredible garden in our new neighbors’ yard next door. Each year, we felt so lucky to enjoy the sight and scents of those beautiful plants and flowers carefully tended by Edie, Dave, and Brandon. They’ve been the best neighbors. We recall talks about our boys and their exploits, trying to match Edie and Dave’s regularity in walks through the neighborhood with their dog, Chula, travels they took and we admired. As we see signs of spring in the garden this week, it’s hard to accept that Edie’s not here to help care for the new green plants that are just sprouting. She will be deeply missed and remembered with fondness. Wishing her family and friends well in this difficult time.
I first met Edie when she applied for an opening in my office at Alaska Tax Service. She was introduced to me by one of my employees, Pat Walle, who highly recommended her. I found Edie to be capable, personable, friendly and very qualified for the job of tax consultant. After four years, I promoted her to Office Manager and she did an excellent job. She was liked by all my employees and customers. Later I sold my business and Edie stayed on with the new owner, but we kept in touch over the years. I shall miss Edie and will always remember her as one of my special and loyal friends. Edie was an amazing lady and Marilyn and I feel privileged to have known her. We know you will miss her deeply and we will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Rod and I met Edie and David almost six years ago on our first sea kayaking adventure out of Croatia. Edie’s welcoming warmth immediately took away any jitters we had in regard to paddling around in a not-so-calm sea. I will never forget the rousing games of Farkle (of course, accompanied by Croatian wine) with Edie and Colleen on the deck of the catamaran after a long day of paddling and sightseeing. Edies’s openness to an immediate friendship made this a trip of a lifetime for us. We were lucky enough to be able to spend two more kayaking trips with Edie and David in British Columbia and Cuba. Although we were geographically a long distance from each other, she always felt much closer. One thing that was always clear was how much she loved David and Brandon. We are going to miss her bright light.
Edie,
Thank you for sharing your life with us. You were a strong, steadfast tower for many.
I will miss you terribly.
You hold the dubious distinction of being the first person I have met who admitted to voting for Trump, Edie declared eyes rolling back in her head. Needless to say I liked her instantly, and the more I got to know Edie the more I knew there IS hope. I only wish we had met sooner. Having lost my own wife less than two years ago to pancreatic cancer, the news of Edie’s passing came with an extra sting to my heart. My God we need to find a cure!
I will miss Edie’s wicked whit and cunning smile, she was a beautiful soul.
David, you were her night in shining armour to the very end. You and you family are in my prayers as you mourn her loss.
May God bless you and help you heal your broken heart.
Edie was a special friend and cancer fighter. We met on a Portuguese River cruise with David, JD, Emily, and Inga. Two weeks after our return Edie called me and said they would all meet me in Budapest for a Danube River Cruise in the Fall of 2016. We returned home to tests that confirmed her cancer and my stage 4 bone cancer. I had survived breast cancer 6 years before, so Could help Edie deal with her cancer. We helped each other through rough times with cards, calls and texts. I will miss our weekly communications and the sharing of living each day well. Edie also introduced me to Alaskan artists and I treasure a glass zipper pull she gave me. I will also miss book reviews by David when I talked to the both of them. I will forever be grateful for meeting Edie and her family. I am sad for her family, but know she will always be with them in the memory of her smile.
Edie was introduced to us by our friend Bonnie Cudnohufsky several years ago to do our tax papers. Edie ALWAYS had a warm smile and genuinely inquired about our kids and how we’ve been since the last time we saw her. Her warmth, kindness, laugh and big smile will always be in our hearts. We truly lost a remarkable lady. We loved hearing about her travels and seeing her pictures in her office. You will be missed! David and Brandon, thank YOU for sharing Edie with us. Lifting you each up!
Though I hadn’t seen Edie for several years prior to her passing I miss knowing that I can call and talk with her and share our stories and laugh and cry. She was such a brilliant and beautiful woman, the kind of friend who knew how listen and ask all the right questions to spur the conversation on. I cannot remember a single dull moment in all the time we spent together in person or on the phone. She challenged me to be my most articulate self and I loved it.
I remember so many wonderful excursions we shared in and around Anchorage, along with the many hours of siting at the kitchen counter eating, drinking wine, talking and laughing.
My fondest memories however were the times I got to introduce her to Sitka, the Island and the wonders of living on the ocean. Whether we were sitting on the deck watching a Heron fish or Eagles soaring, kayaking around the nearby Islands or simply lounging over coffee and an all day movie, the English Patient. Then there was the trip to Fred’s Creek Cabin on Kruzof island. We spent one day hiking 14 miles to the outside coast to walk the white sand beaches, another relaxing by the campfire and exploring the beach out in front. Mark flew over and dropped a message from the floatplane telling us a storm was brewing and we had better run for home before we got stuck out there. David was with us, we packed up camp in a flash, Edie and David hunkered down in the bow of our 14ft. aluminum skiff, under the blue canvas cover as I ran the boat through the mounting ocean swell. I remember laughing at the two of them lying on top of our camping gear, life jackets on with a look of wonderment on your faces, as the waves broke on me, drenched me with salt water. The truth be known, I loved every minute of it. That is a story to be told time and time again. O yes, we cannot forget our shrimp trip to south Baranof on Nakwasina, kayaking, eating good food, drinking wine, sharing stories, laughing and being rewarded for our pot setting efforts with TWO shrimp, proudly displayed by David.
I could go on for pages recounting my memories with Edie however I will share one last here which was, without a doubt, Edie’s most memorable trip down to visit me, the time she brought her mother, Inge. That had been a goal of Edie’s for a long time and it did not disappoint. It was a memorable and wonderful time spent for us all.
No one was more important, more loved or more special to Edie than her family. Its difficultly to remember a time when a “rundown” of the well being of each member of her family was not included in our conversation.
Edie brought a special and beautiful richness to my life. She was one of the most unique, intelligent, engaging and loving friends I have been privileged to know.
“I love you Edie and I will always miss you.”
I have a lot to say about
I have much to say about Edie, but I am still so saddened by her passing, it is hard to share anything right now. I would love to meet all of you who have responded, and talk to you about Edie. We met at H&R Block in 1996. I love her and admire her, and miss her so much.
Alan and I met David when we were fighting forest fires for the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. At that time, David was piloting 642, a Grumman Goose based in Galena, our fire station on the Yukon River. We came to know and love David and had many amazing adventures in 642. One summer he told us he had met “this incredible woman” whom he hoped to get to know better after the fire season was over. We are so happy that his wish came true!
When we moved to Anchorage in 1981, we finally met Edie, “this incredible woman”, whom we grew to love as much as David. It was so easy and natural to become friends with her. She was beautiful, intelligent, a great cook, and quick to smile and laugh – her brown eyes twinkling to let you know that we were sharing a special time together.
Edie and I were pregnant at the same time, birthing our sons four months apart – she in Anchorage and I in Homer. Later, Edie, David, and their son, Brandon, joined us to kayak and camp on the west side of Kachemak Bay. I’ll never forget the orcas swimming close to our kayaks while numerous seabirds soared overhead and sea otters contentedly swam on their backs, eating their catches. It was a magical time with our new little boys.
After we moved to Hawaii in 1992, we did not see Edie and David as often. But we joined them in San Diego to explore Balboa Park, and just missed them in Anchorage when we were there on a family cruise. Even though they were away at the time, they graciously offered us the use of their home.
More recently, Edie and her mom, Inge, were in Hawaii for several Mother’s Days. I fondly remember sharing meals, wine, and great conversation with them in our home and at their hotel. We always just picked up where we had left off as if we had been together yesterday, and she was always as interested in learning about our experiences as she was in sharing hers.
Through the years Edie was a great correspondent, and we always enjoyed her eat-your-heart- out postcards from their many travels. We were always in awe of her ability to plan those adventures so far in advance, a tribute to her amazing organizational skills.
Adios, mi amiga. It is difficult to imagine you are no longer here. I am so grateful to have known you and will always treasure your friendship.
David,
I just learned of Edie’s passing through our mutual friend, Kay Haneline. I am so sorry for your loss.
I first met Edie at the University of Texas in Austin in 1969. Even though We only saw each other two or three times after graduation, we stayed in touch over the next 40+ years. Edie was an amazing women, with a heart of gold. I feel so lucky to have had her in my life and she will be missed.
I send all my love to David and Brandon during this very difficult time.
Dear Edie, We were so fortunate, you and I, to have met at a Tupperware party, feeling an instant closeness as we held our infant sons who were born a month apart. Over the next 34 years, our friendship grew and became rich, warm, caring, loving, filled with stimulating conversation over wonderful meals cooked by you. We enjoyed many trips together in Alaska, the lower 48 and international. You taught me what a good friendship was: being there in good times and bad, generous, giving, thoughtful, helpful, fun. I always knew I could count on you if I needed anything. Some of the fun included a roadtrip down the Oregon coast in the summer of 2016. You joined Sophie (my kitty) and I in the camper and off we went exploring the beaches and tidepools, touring lighthouses, sampling good cheese and fresh seafood. We enjoyed a play in Ashland, saw 2 fabulous live concerts in Jacksonville – K.D. Lange and the amazing Diana Ross, as well as enjoyed vineyards and wine tasting. A trip I’ll never forget. Just one of many. Mexico twice, Guatemala, kayaking in Kachemak Bay, sailing in Prince William Sound, hikes in the Wrangell Mountains, dipnetting with our kids on the Kenai. A frienship filled with so many memories I could fill a book with them. These many memories will keep you alive for me and I will never, ever forget you, not for a single day. Thank you for being in my life and giving me so much to remember. I miss you. I love you. I will think of you always. Be at peace.
Her character was well revealed in that I always wanted to meet and know more of her friends and family after knowing her, her son and husband.
I read with such sadness the news about Edie this morning in the Anchorage paper. She was my dear friend and my tax accountant. We got one glorious trip to Ketchikan together years ago and I hope to be able to locate those photos. She was beautiful inside and out and I so wanted to do floral macro photography with her. She had a marvelous curiosity about the world and its beauty. I will never forget her voice. David.. did you write the last paragraph in the obituary? Hauntingly beautiful and it brings me to tears every time. My prayers are surrounding your family. I loved her so much. Charlene Rector
It is not often one is gifted with a friendship that begins in high school and lasts over 50 years despite lifestyle changes, thousands of miles of distance and many challenges. A friendship that continued to grow with each other over the years, always cherished, fun and thoughtful when together, and the gift of meeting and embracing each other’s soulmates, your David and my Curt. No matter where you are, your friendship will always be cherished…and will be missed. Our hearts go out to David, Edith’s family and her friends. Peggy and Curt
Edith and David are my friends first from kayaking in British Columbia and later from our kayak trip to Cuba. Edith was a warm welcoming spirit from the first moment I met her on Vancouver Island with a twinkle in her eye and some shared wine…I regret that she has passed and send a warm hug to David and her community of friends and family.
The Banta family arrived 22 years ago to see the most incredible garden in our new neighbors’ yard next door. Each year, we felt so lucky to enjoy the sight and scents of those beautiful plants and flowers carefully tended by Edie, Dave, and Brandon. They’ve been the best neighbors. We recall talks about our boys and their exploits, trying to match Edie and Dave’s regularity in walks through the neighborhood with their dog, Chula, travels they took and we admired. As we see signs of spring in the garden this week, it’s hard to accept that Edie’s not here to help care for the new green plants that are just sprouting. She will be deeply missed and remembered with fondness. Wishing her family and friends well in this difficult time.
I first met Edie when she applied for an opening in my office at Alaska Tax Service. She was introduced to me by one of my employees, Pat Walle, who highly recommended her. I found Edie to be capable, personable, friendly and very qualified for the job of tax consultant. After four years, I promoted her to Office Manager and she did an excellent job. She was liked by all my employees and customers. Later I sold my business and Edie stayed on with the new owner, but we kept in touch over the years. I shall miss Edie and will always remember her as one of my special and loyal friends. Edie was an amazing lady and Marilyn and I feel privileged to have known her. We know you will miss her deeply and we will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Rod and I met Edie and David almost six years ago on our first sea kayaking adventure out of Croatia. Edie’s welcoming warmth immediately took away any jitters we had in regard to paddling around in a not-so-calm sea. I will never forget the rousing games of Farkle (of course, accompanied by Croatian wine) with Edie and Colleen on the deck of the catamaran after a long day of paddling and sightseeing. Edies’s openness to an immediate friendship made this a trip of a lifetime for us. We were lucky enough to be able to spend two more kayaking trips with Edie and David in British Columbia and Cuba. Although we were geographically a long distance from each other, she always felt much closer. One thing that was always clear was how much she loved David and Brandon. We are going to miss her bright light.
Edie,
Thank you for sharing your life with us. You were a strong, steadfast tower for many.
I will miss you terribly.
You hold the dubious distinction of being the first person I have met who admitted to voting for Trump, Edie declared eyes rolling back in her head. Needless to say I liked her instantly, and the more I got to know Edie the more I knew there IS hope. I only wish we had met sooner. Having lost my own wife less than two years ago to pancreatic cancer, the news of Edie’s passing came with an extra sting to my heart. My God we need to find a cure!
I will miss Edie’s wicked whit and cunning smile, she was a beautiful soul.
David, you were her night in shining armour to the very end. You and you family are in my prayers as you mourn her loss.
May God bless you and help you heal your broken heart.
Edie was a special friend and cancer fighter. We met on a Portuguese River cruise with David, JD, Emily, and Inga. Two weeks after our return Edie called me and said they would all meet me in Budapest for a Danube River Cruise in the Fall of 2016. We returned home to tests that confirmed her cancer and my stage 4 bone cancer. I had survived breast cancer 6 years before, so Could help Edie deal with her cancer. We helped each other through rough times with cards, calls and texts. I will miss our weekly communications and the sharing of living each day well. Edie also introduced me to Alaskan artists and I treasure a glass zipper pull she gave me. I will also miss book reviews by David when I talked to the both of them. I will forever be grateful for meeting Edie and her family. I am sad for her family, but know she will always be with them in the memory of her smile.
Edie was introduced to us by our friend Bonnie Cudnohufsky several years ago to do our tax papers. Edie ALWAYS had a warm smile and genuinely inquired about our kids and how we’ve been since the last time we saw her. Her warmth, kindness, laugh and big smile will always be in our hearts. We truly lost a remarkable lady. We loved hearing about her travels and seeing her pictures in her office. You will be missed! David and Brandon, thank YOU for sharing Edie with us. Lifting you each up!
Though I hadn’t seen Edie for several years prior to her passing I miss knowing that I can call and talk with her and share our stories and laugh and cry. She was such a brilliant and beautiful woman, the kind of friend who knew how listen and ask all the right questions to spur the conversation on. I cannot remember a single dull moment in all the time we spent together in person or on the phone. She challenged me to be my most articulate self and I loved it.
I remember so many wonderful excursions we shared in and around Anchorage, along with the many hours of siting at the kitchen counter eating, drinking wine, talking and laughing.
My fondest memories however were the times I got to introduce her to Sitka, the Island and the wonders of living on the ocean. Whether we were sitting on the deck watching a Heron fish or Eagles soaring, kayaking around the nearby Islands or simply lounging over coffee and an all day movie, the English Patient. Then there was the trip to Fred’s Creek Cabin on Kruzof island. We spent one day hiking 14 miles to the outside coast to walk the white sand beaches, another relaxing by the campfire and exploring the beach out in front. Mark flew over and dropped a message from the floatplane telling us a storm was brewing and we had better run for home before we got stuck out there. David was with us, we packed up camp in a flash, Edie and David hunkered down in the bow of our 14ft. aluminum skiff, under the blue canvas cover as I ran the boat through the mounting ocean swell. I remember laughing at the two of them lying on top of our camping gear, life jackets on with a look of wonderment on your faces, as the waves broke on me, drenched me with salt water. The truth be known, I loved every minute of it. That is a story to be told time and time again. O yes, we cannot forget our shrimp trip to south Baranof on Nakwasina, kayaking, eating good food, drinking wine, sharing stories, laughing and being rewarded for our pot setting efforts with TWO shrimp, proudly displayed by David.
I could go on for pages recounting my memories with Edie however I will share one last here which was, without a doubt, Edie’s most memorable trip down to visit me, the time she brought her mother, Inge. That had been a goal of Edie’s for a long time and it did not disappoint. It was a memorable and wonderful time spent for us all.
No one was more important, more loved or more special to Edie than her family. Its difficultly to remember a time when a “rundown” of the well being of each member of her family was not included in our conversation.
Edie brought a special and beautiful richness to my life. She was one of the most unique, intelligent, engaging and loving friends I have been privileged to know.
“I love you Edie and I will always miss you.”
I have a lot to say about
I have much to say about Edie, but I am still so saddened by her passing, it is hard to share anything right now. I would love to meet all of you who have responded, and talk to you about Edie. We met at H&R Block in 1996. I love her and admire her, and miss her so much.
Alan and I met David when we were fighting forest fires for the Bureau of Land Management in Alaska. At that time, David was piloting 642, a Grumman Goose based in Galena, our fire station on the Yukon River. We came to know and love David and had many amazing adventures in 642. One summer he told us he had met “this incredible woman” whom he hoped to get to know better after the fire season was over. We are so happy that his wish came true!
When we moved to Anchorage in 1981, we finally met Edie, “this incredible woman”, whom we grew to love as much as David. It was so easy and natural to become friends with her. She was beautiful, intelligent, a great cook, and quick to smile and laugh – her brown eyes twinkling to let you know that we were sharing a special time together.
Edie and I were pregnant at the same time, birthing our sons four months apart – she in Anchorage and I in Homer. Later, Edie, David, and their son, Brandon, joined us to kayak and camp on the west side of Kachemak Bay. I’ll never forget the orcas swimming close to our kayaks while numerous seabirds soared overhead and sea otters contentedly swam on their backs, eating their catches. It was a magical time with our new little boys.
After we moved to Hawaii in 1992, we did not see Edie and David as often. But we joined them in San Diego to explore Balboa Park, and just missed them in Anchorage when we were there on a family cruise. Even though they were away at the time, they graciously offered us the use of their home.
More recently, Edie and her mom, Inge, were in Hawaii for several Mother’s Days. I fondly remember sharing meals, wine, and great conversation with them in our home and at their hotel. We always just picked up where we had left off as if we had been together yesterday, and she was always as interested in learning about our experiences as she was in sharing hers.
Through the years Edie was a great correspondent, and we always enjoyed her eat-your-heart- out postcards from their many travels. We were always in awe of her ability to plan those adventures so far in advance, a tribute to her amazing organizational skills.
Adios, mi amiga. It is difficult to imagine you are no longer here. I am so grateful to have known you and will always treasure your friendship.
David,
I just learned of Edie’s passing through our mutual friend, Kay Haneline. I am so sorry for your loss.
I first met Edie at the University of Texas in Austin in 1969. Even though We only saw each other two or three times after graduation, we stayed in touch over the next 40+ years. Edie was an amazing women, with a heart of gold. I feel so lucky to have had her in my life and she will be missed.
I send all my love to David and Brandon during this very difficult time.