Janice Brown Barrows, Founder of Barrows Insurance Agency, 85

Janice Brown Barrows, beloved wife of Robert H. Barrows, loving mother, and founder of Barrows Insurance Agency in Mansfield, died Thursday, April 18, 2013 surrounded by her family.  She was 85 years old.

Mrs. Barrows was born April 11, 1928 to George and Mabel Osborn Brown of Foxborough.  She was a 1946
graduate of Foxborough High School.  She was a member of the Emblem Club, former member of the Board of Directors at the Mansfield Credit Union and was a 50 year member of the Mansfield Orthodox Congregational Church where she was also in the choir. When not with her
family, she could be found relaxing at her Cape home in Dennisport, MA or enjoying a show at Mansfield’s Black Box Theater.

Mrs. Barrows is best known as the founder of Barrows
Insurance Agency in Mansfield, a business she founded at the age 50 in 1977 out of her home on Pratt Street. She became the first woman to own an insurance
agency in the area.  As her business grew, she moved her business to the heart of Downtown Mansfield on North Main Street where it has remained for nearly 40 years. Mrs. Barrows took great pride that she created a family business, one that offered the opportunity to work alongside her sons Rob and Jay and that later welcomed her grandchildren into the agency.  Three generations later, Janice Barrows could still be heard reminding staff of her founding principle: “Above all else, just be there for your customers when they need you.”

She is survived by her husband Robert of 65 years and her three cherished children:   Cynthia Barrows Berkowitz and her husband Ron of Newton, State Representative Jay Barrows and his wife Debbie Laursen Barrows of Mansfield, and Robert H. Barrows, Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Smithfield,Rhode Island.   She leaves nine
grandchildren whom she adored:  Matthew and Alison Berkowtiz, Cameron Barrows and his wife Bella, Colby Barrows and his wife Karin, Chris Barrows and his wife Britney, Caitlin Barrows, and Brent, Spencer, and Alexa Barrows, two great-grandchildren Logan Barrows and Lucy
Barrows, and many nieces and nephews.  

She is survived by her sisters Hazel Marvelle, Alice Elmitt, Marilyn Weir, Murial Bishop, Thelma Henry and Linda Brown and her brothers Sam Brown and Donald Brown.  She was predeceased by eight other siblings. 

Calling hours will be at Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 30 South St, Foxborough, Saturday, April 20 from 1 to 5 p.m.  A burial service will be held at the funeral
home on Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Spring Brook Cemetery, 88 School St, Mansfield.   In lieu of flowers those wishing to honor Janice’s love of family and community may make a donation to the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth and Family Campaign, 67 Mechanic St, Foxboro with designation for Mansfield/Foxborough.