Barbara Faye (Clough) Verlinde
October 15, 1932 – January 9, 2024
October 15, 1932 in the small, Northern Michigan town of Grayling, a beautiful baby girl was born. Barbara Faye Clough, the third child of Arthur George and Lilian Azildia (Lamotte) Clough. She was a precocious child with sparkling, blue, half-moon eyes which she would one day pass on to all of her children and grandchildren. Barbara grew and her intellect increased and at the time of her graduation from Grayling High School in 1950 she had an IQ of 148, which would place her in the “highly gifted” percentile. Barbara met the boy who would become her husband attending a dance at the Maple Forest Township Hall when she was 17. James “Jim” Henry Verlinde and Barbara were wed January 19, 1951 and welcomed their first son, James Steven Verlinde, July 11, 1951. “Steve” would become a big brother to Craig Xavier Verlinde, August 15, 1952. The family lived in a home they built on the Verlinde family farm in Maple Forest. Barbara gave birth to her third son, Daniel Nathan Verlinde, “Danny”, on May 25, 1958. Five years later Barbara had her first daughter Karole “Jean” Verlinde May 12, 1963, on Mother’s Day. Two years later Jim & Barbara welcomed another daughter, Kelly Mae Azildia Verlinde, August 20, 1965. With that, their family was complete. Through the years Barbara had continued learning and working hard. Barbara attended secretarial school in Grand Rapids after high school and worked for Frederic Township, 28 years, as a secretary, tax collector and “administrative everything”. She was even the Township’s Librarian, bestowing her love of reading onto many. Though Barbara was always a very hard worker she also knew how to have fun. Her friends and family were a source of joy and Barb’s wit and humor could liven up any party. Her laugh always reached her eyes, and they appeared to twinkle with every smile.
Barbara’s family continued to grow as her children became parents and her grandchildren did as well. Barbara celebrated her 91st birthday in October 2023. Over her 91 years, Barbara had shown more generosity and kindness than anyone could keep track of. Her children and grandchildren never went without, even if she needed to in order to help.
January 9, 2024, the first snowstorm of the year began in Frederic, Michigan. Barbara’s house was filled with love and many tears as family came to see the woman who had started it all. Barbara’s mind was still just as sharp but her body was failing. In her usual straight forward & brave way she told us she was ready to make her journey home. Barbara passed peacefully with her faithful companion Molly (her sweet poodle) laying by her side, in the house that Barbara had made a home nearly 50 years ago. Barbara was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her husband of 61 years Jim, their sons Steve & Danny, her brother Arthur “Boy” Clough, her granddaughters Diana & Nicole Rosin, her niece Ricky Nelson, and nephew Arthur “Artie” Clough.
Barbara is survived by; her children Anita Verlinde, Craig & Sonja Verlinde, George & Jean Rosin, Kelly Verlinde & Vance Jacklynn as well as her siblings Jeanette Kitchen, Shirley Clough, and Kerry & Nancy Clough along with 13 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren.
A graveside ceremony will be planned in the spring.
Arrangements entrusted to Sorenson-Lockwood Funeral Home.
