Barbara J. Lomas

Barbara Lomas passed away on December 27 at age 96 after a long, accomplished, and very fulfilling life.  She was described by many as loving, gracious, worldly, intelligent, comforting, humble, a talented artist and fashion designer, and a dedicated  wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.  Raised in Perry, Ohio, she graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a B.F.A., and completed graduate work at the Tobe-Coburn School of Fashion in New York City.  She was on the staff of Seventeen Magazine and was a buyer for Bloomingdale’s in New York and for Higbee’s in Cleveland.  She was a member of the Women’s Committee of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, the Women’s City Club of Cleveland, the Speakers Bureau for Church Organizations, the League of Women Voters, PEO International, and the American Association of University Women.  She also served on the Board of Directors of Chemical Bank of Albion. 

Married to Bernard Lomas, former President of Albion College, for 72 years, she had two sons:  David (deceased) and Paul (wife Gayle).  She is also survived by 3 grandchildren:  Kyle Lomas (wife Melissa), Abbey Vantland (husband Calvin), and Torrey Lomas.   She also had 3 great grandchildren:  Sierra Lomas, Mikaela Vantland, and Jaelyn Vantland.  In her roles as a women’s clothing buyer, minister’s wife, and college president’s wife, she met, hosted, and befriended many.  Widely admired, and often emulated, she affected many with her insight, humility, grace, unselfishness, and generosity.  She will be greatly missed.  Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Bernard and Barbara Lomas Scholarship Fund at Albion College.

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