Barbara Greenwood

Barbara Lysle Evans Greenwood - wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother The 1910s were called the Ballroom Decade. Many of the trendier restaurants were equipped with dance floors. Popular songs of the decade included “You Made Me Love You”, “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life” and “All I Do is Dream of You”. Jerome Kern and George Gershwin wrote and produced music and musicals throughout the decade. Vernon and Irene Castle and Fred Astaire danced, and entertainers sang “Over There”. It was a fitting time for the birth of a woman who would embrace music, dance, and the theatre throughout her life. Barbara Greenwood was born on May 12, 1913 in Jamestown, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Gladys and Robert Evans. She was the oldest of three children, all of whom inherited musical, creative talents. She attended schools in Pennsylvania, Battle Creek and Holland, Michigan. While a freshman at Central High School in Battle Creek, she starred in the title role of the operetta, “Briar Rose”. She acted, danced and sang, and the local newspaper review claimed, “Barbara Evans was superb in the role of the princess, Briar Rose.” The theatre bug never left her when the family moved to Holland where Barb graduated from Holland High School. While at Holland High School, she was class president, a member of the Girls Athletic Association, sang in the Glee Club and chorus and performed in the school plays. Shortly after high school, she met and fell in love with a worldly gent named Bob Greenwood. He was in the Coast Guard, was five years her senior, and how he loved to dance! In fact, they met at the dance pavilion in Saugatuck Michigan. Barb and Bob had a whirlwind courtship, spent much time with their friends at the Saugatuck Dance Pavilion and Ottawa Beach in Holland. They danced at every opportunity and became very proficient at their smooth style of ballroom dancing and through the years, cleared many a dance floor as others stepped back to watch and applaud. Bob and Barb were married in October of 1932. Through the years, Barb performed in and directed many theatrical productions and, as a soloist, sang at special events and programs. Bob also was active in Barb’s theatre activities and appeared on stage in several shows as well as working behind the scenes. And then they started a family. Their son, Bob was the first-born. Two years later, Marilyn came into the world, and two years after that, Terry made his debut. Ten years passed before the arrival of Melodie, their fourth child. While raising their children, Barb took a break from theatre activities, which were so important in her life. Her focus now was on her family. Living on Lake Macatawa near Lake Michigan, the family enjoyed the lakes, sunny beaches and sledding and ice-skating in the wintertime. Barb and Bob never stopped dancing. They formed a monthly square dance group, which continued on for many years. In 1961, Barb read in the Holland Sentinel that auditions were being held for “Rumpelstiltskin” at Holland Community Theatre. She couldn’t resist. Barb went to the auditions and was selected to play the title role. Barb’s family was eager to see her on stage. When her three-year old grandson, Tom, saw his grandma cavorting on stage in a green costume as the little creature, Rumplestiltskin, he stood up and shouted,”Grandma’s got green legs!” That performance was the beginning of Barb’s 43-year association with what is now known as the Holland Civic Theatre. During her years at HCT, Barb never missed an opening night performance. She became a highly respected director, and was recognized as a talented actress. Barb was known for directing the theatre’s musicals with large casts of players often numbering up to 50 or more. At four feet, eleven inches tall, she was a strong, sometimes stern director who was often referred to as “the little sergeant”. But her directing style always produced high quality shows. Barb also performed in several shows at the Red Barn Theatre in Saugatuck. And she never lost her love for dancing which was evident when, at age 80, she was the oldest member of an adult tap dance class. Barb’s most recent acting performance was at Freedom Village in Holland where she reprised her role in the two-person short comedy, ”I’m Herbert” which she performed with fellow resident, Forrest Fynewever. She originally acted in the comedy 20 years earlier when it was a Holland Civic Theatre production. In 1983, Barb and Bob’s children gave them a surprise party to celebrate the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. After three years of secret planning, invitations were sent to nearly every person Barb and Bob had ever met. The turnout was tremendous . . . . . . and the happy couple were greeted by or heard from people they hadn’t seen for many years. Barb and Bob’s 50-year anniversary was a loving milestone . . .but it didn’t compare to the fact that Barb and Bob were together long enough to celebrate 71 years of marriage. Barb was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for 55 years. In 1965 the church had among its members Barb’s family of four generations all members of the church choirs: her father, Robert Evans; her four children; her sister, Emily; nieces and grandchildren. Barb shared her gift of music with her love for her children . . . and grandchildren. She taught them to sing, listen and enjoy music. When a child sat with her at the piano . . . it was a blessing and a gift for Barb and that child. At Christmas time when the family gathered around the piano everyone - young and old - sang with gusto. The Greenwoods moved to Freedom Village in 1994 where Barb joined the exercise program and was a regular swimmer in the pool until age 89. Barb and Bob enjoyed their life and many friends at Freedom Village. After a short illness, Bob, age 96 passed away on January 1, 2004. On November 20, 2004, Barb also passed away at the Inn at Freedom Village. We celebrate the life of Barbara Greenwood and are grateful for how she enriched our lives. Her family includes her children: Robert D. Greenwood of Canada, Marilyn Matula, Terry and Daughn Greenwood, and Melodie and Tom Moermond all of Holland; 15 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held 11am Saturday at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. William Dobbs officiating. Visitation will follow the service. Please visit Barbara’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a personal memory or make a memorial contribution to the First United Methodist Church Music Department or the Holland Civic Theatre. Arrangements are by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel.