COLUMBUS
Carolyn Janice Gosling Bobbs passed away peacefully on September 20 at Four Seasons Retirement Center in Columbus, Indiana. She was born on October 9th 1929 in Rushville, Indiana to the late Guy and Fannnie Stires McBride.
Jan was a graduate of Mays High School in Mays, Indiana. There were twelve students in her high school graduating class. She went on to earn her B.S. in English Literature at Indiana University. She joined the Alpha XI Delta Sorority while attending IU. Following college, she moved to Columbus, IN where she was employed as an English teacher, counselor and dean.
Jan met her husband Duncan Gosling on a blind date. They hit is off immediately, and they were married within the same year. They were married until Duncan’s death in 1990. She met and married her second husband William C. Bobbs in 1999.
She was active in the First Presbyterian Church. She served on several church appointed boards. She enjoyed singing in the church choir. Jan was a long-time member of Tri-Kappa and Research Literary Club. She served on the national and local boards of the Girls Clubs of America. She also served on the board of Family Self-Sufficiency.
She enjoyed playing bridge, reading mysteries, traveling to Bermuda, seeing Broadway musicals in New York City and family trips to Florida. She enjoyed attending IU basketball and football events. She was a true IU fan!
Jan and Duncan Raised two daughters Nancy Kurtz of Fishers and Carolyn Friend (Victor) of Columbus. She enjoyed giving her daughters the opportunities to participate in many sports and activities. She doted on her grandchildren. Jan has four grandchildren. Benjamin Kurtz (Taylor) of Fishers, Alexandra McCarter (KJ) of Chicago, Zachary Friend (Katie) of Chicago and Luke Friend of Columbus.
Services were entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held graveside in Rushville, Indiana. Memorial contributions can be made to the Girls Inc. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Gosling Bobbs family at barkesweaverglick.com.
