Barbara Searing

Barbara Jean Searing, a beloved wife, mother, gardener, writer, and artist, peacefully passed away at the age of 82 in Concord, NC on November 23, 2024.

Born on August 29, 1942, in Flushing, NY, to the late Jean Miller Gorsline, Albert Gorsline. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Bruce Gorsline; sister-in-law, Vange Gorsline.

Barbara's journey in education led her from Flushing High School to Queens College in NY, culminating in a Master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley. She utilized her skills as a technical writer at General Data Comm for 22 years, followed by two fruitful years at Lucent Technologies. Her passion for art extended to painting in both oil and watercolor mediums whenever she found a moment of serenity. She had a profound love for nature and spent countless hours tending to her vibrant garden of flowers and a small vegetable garden which yielded delicious squash, tomatoes, and lettuce each year.

Her love for music, particularly classical pieces and folk music, underscored her joyous spirit, and she found solace in the melodies that resonated with her soul. Barbara cherished family trips to their coastal family cottage located in South Bristol, Maine, on John's Bay, where she delighted in collecting seashells and making lasting memories with her loved ones. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed a good story in a movie or series. She also loved animals of all kinds and cherished several dogs we had over the years (Lara, Casey, and Bo), several parakeets owned over the years, as well as outdoor wildlife including birds.

Throughout her life, Barbara embarked on numerous vacations with her husband, Mike, to destinations like Jamaica, Boston, Bermuda, the Grand Canyon, and Europe, embracing each adventure with enthusiasm and grace.

Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-five years, Charles Michael "Mike" Searing; her daughters, Robin Elizabeth Riemersma and Christie Jean Searing, who will forever treasure the profound impact she had on their lives; sister-in-law, Carol Gillham; brother-in-law, Robert Gillham; ex sister-in-law, Linda Pascale; nieces, Dawn Gorsline, Melissa Perez and husband, Richie; nephews, Robbie Gorsline and wife, Emily, Adam Gorsline, Robert Charles Gillham and wife, Sophia, Timothy Gillham; a number of great nieces, greats nephews, and cousins.

A Memorial service to honor Barbara Jean Searing's remarkable life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Wilkinson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will greet friends from 12:00-12:45 pm prior to the service.

The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzF1LNWOlG0

In her passing, Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love, creativity, and cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. May she rest in eternal peace.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte (UUCC) 234 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 or Atrium Health Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.