Obituary of Barbara R. Bauguess

Once people die, everyone can always think of all special things to say about the deceased but fortunately, we didn’t have to wait until Barbara died to talk of how special she was. No one who met her ever realized she was anew nurse unless she told them. Barbara became a nurse later in life, but she touched so many lives during that period of time. Barbara had a servant’s heart and was a blessing to all that met her. As a hospice nurse, home visits are required and one never knows what will be encountered during a home visit. No matter how stormy a home setting was, she was able to be the calm amidst the storm. She had a strong spiritual connection with God and understood human nature. She knew how difficult being a caregiver and/or patient could be and always knew exactly what to say, how to say it, and when to say it to put a family at east. Barbara took her job seriously and treated every patient individually, honoring their decisions to live and die with dignity. Barbara was not only a nurse, but a mother and friend. Barbara loved her daughters and grandchildren beyond measure. She spoke to her daughters several times a day offering advice, chastising them (as only mother’s do), or simply being a shoulder for them to cry on. There was nothing more in life she enjoyed doing than spending time with those she cherished and loved. Barbara was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her great granddaughter and she was worried that she would not live to see her. She was blessed to see the baby a couple days before she died. What an awesome experience that must have been for her. Barbara had many friends that she kept in touch with on a regular basis over the years. She had friends from Asheville, where she once lived, friends from Hospice of Charleston, and those from her social circle. She made a conscience effort to keep everyone connected. If too much time had lapsed between visits she would coordinate a lunch, dinner, or outing of some sort. She was definitely a friend you could count on. Barbara’s illness was brief and swift. No one ever imagined that things would have progressed as quickly as it did. Barbara always said that she never would want chemotherapy if she was diagnosed with cancer and she was true to her work. She did not want anything to impair er quality of life. Barbara’s illness progressed quickly and she did not get to do many of the things she wanted to do from her “bucket list” but she did enjoy the life she lived and the things she did get to do. Barbara knew she was dying and was verbalizing it before anyone was prepared to hear it. She got her affairs in order and waited patiently on her appointed time. She expressed no feelings of sadness, anger, or fear. She faced death with respect and dignity just as she lived. Her faith in God was a great comfort to her which brought comfort to all going through the process with her. Barbara died the way she wanted, peacefully, at home with her family at her bedside. Barbara will be missed by many but find comfort in know that “… to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:8. Her spirit will live on in our lives forever. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday July 30th at 11:00 am till 12:00 pm with a celebration of life service following at 12:00 pm. Services will be at Simplicity Lowcountry Cremation & Burial Services (7475 Peppermill Parkway, Suite E, North Charleston, SC 29418).