Barbara Rollins Vine, 91
Barbara Rollins Vine, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in her Kalispell home at the age of 91.
She was born on April 18, 1932, in Massena, New York, to Marion and Dwight Rollins. She was a 1950 graduate of Massena High School and attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Watertown, New York. It was her ambition to travel to New York City for nurses training but always joked, “Instead, my mother sent me to the nuns.”
Following nursing school, Barbara returned home and worked as a first-aid nurse on the St. Lawrence Seaway. She met Robert Vine, a handsome civil engineer with a white convertible, at Nedeaus bar. After learning to drive (Robert’s prerequisite), they were married on July 12, 1958. She then accompanied her husband as he worked on construction projects in 10 different states and two countries, including Nepal and the Philippines.
She was a giving and generous soul, always feeding those workers away from their families and respectful of and generous to the native people. Barbara loved nursing and worked as a nurse in New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington, developing a special love of oncology. Upon her husband’s retirement in 1998, they moved to Kalispell to be near family.
Barbara enjoyed traveling to far off places as well as camping in her own back yard. She especially loved spending time at the family cabin on Ashley Lake. Barbara was an accomplished knitter and quilter, but her first love was her family. She always had food, time, and love waiting and was certain to make sure that her kids had money in their pockets.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Dwight Rollins; her sister, Marjory Beaulieu; and an infant daughter, Diane Marie.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert Vine; daughter, Mary Anne Gill and her husband, Dr. Christopher Gill; grandchildren and their spouses, Michael Gill (Kelly), Patrick Gill (Candice), Theresa Kirby (John) and Andrew Gill (Emily); and eight wild and wonderful great-grandchildren.
Grandma will be forever remembered and greatly loved.
There will be visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary held for Barbara at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, at Johnson-Glsocaht Funeral home, and a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Risen Christ Catholic Church. Burial to follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.