Margaret Elizabeth (Scott) Barrow

Margaret Elizabeth (Scott) Barrow, 81, passed away on June 7 at her home in Perryville, MD. Born to Gladys Margaret (Miller) Scott and Jacob Edgar Scott on May 27, 1944 at the family farm in Harford County, Maryland, near New Park, Pennsylvania. Margaret grew up attending Highland Elementary and spent summers with her older brother Carroll Edgar Scott, leisurely floating down the local creek in an old wash tub while the sun traced its familiar arc across the sky.

In 1958, Margaret's parents left the farm and moved the family to Gotham Bush in Perryville, MD where she attended, and in 1962, graduated from Perryville High School on Aiken Avenue.

On May 27, 1967, at Perryville United Methodist Church, Margaret wed John Thomas Barrow III, a fledgling military officer and soon found herself living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina while he finished up his degree. On December 1, 1969 in Raleigh, North Carolina, what was a couple, became a family when Margaret gave birth to their only child, John Thomas Barrow IV.

As a young mother she undertook the challenges of raising the younger John Thomas while simultaneously developing her keen eye for color and style, producing a collection of paintings and drawings in oil and other mediums that continue to enhance décor in the homes of both family and friends.

Margaret tasted life on both coasts, as is often the good fortune of a navy wife, living in Virginia Beach, Virginia for several years and then later in San Diego, California. From California, she took the opportunity to visit the orient, vacationing in Japan with her husband while his submarine's port of call was US Naval facilities, Japan.

After returning to Maryland, the family resettled in Perryville, living for many years on Aiken Avenue extended. Margaret worked as secretary to the Chief of the Pharmacy at Perry Point Veterans Hospital, a position she held until taking an early retirement in the early 1980s. During this time, she established her independence and took on the responsibility of raising young John as a single parent.

Margaret was known by family, friends, and acquaintances for her independent spirit and boundless energy. Not long after the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed, Margaret blazed a path as a pioneering female entrepreneur, acquiring financing as an independent woman, purchasing and renting a number properties in both Harford and Cecil counties. She designed, produced, and sold a line of JT Bear t-shirts in honor of her young son who tragically passed away in August of 1994. In February 2000, Margaret and her longtime partner, Anthony "Tony" Gerst purchased a property at 317 Broad Street and designed, built and operated Boxcar Avenue Ice Cream. In her characteristic flair, Margaret designed the building with grand columns, transforming an otherwise ordinary building into a standing piece of art. Margaret always said her numerous investments were in honor of John Barrow IV.

Margaret is survived by brother, Carroll Edgar Scott and wife, Shirley; niece, Dawn Scott-Barill and husband, Samuel; great-niece Randi (Bolender)Brown and husband John III, their children: John IV, Lillie and Brayden; great-niece Lauren (Bolender) Manzer and husband Ryan, their children: Molly, Carter, Lucy, Paisley and Parker; nephew, Kevin Ray Scott and wife Donna; great-niece, Sarah Patricia (Scott) Nunez and husband David; great-nephew, Elliott Benson Scott; cousins, Rosalie (Russell) Sommer, Katherine Sommer and husband William Beshire, and Diane (Sommer) Donaher and husband Richard; sisters-in-law, Denise Smith, Cheryl Renee Bittner (Dennis) and Fran Barrow; nieces, Keri Anderson(Richard), Karla Hoerr(Rob), and Holly Bitner; nephews, Bret Barrow (Julie) and Daniel Bitner (Sarah). She considered her great-nieces and great-nephews to be "grandchildren": Jocelynne Bittner, Brody and Wyatt Hoerr, Molly and Genevieve Barrow and Sophia Goad.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her long-time partner, Anthony "Tony" Gerst; son, John Thomas Barrow IV; and former husband, John Thomas Barrow III.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Margaret's honor to the American Lung Association or the Perryville United Methodist Church in care of Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 766, Perryville, MD 21903-0766.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 19, 2025, 1 PM, at the Perryville Methodist Church, 301 Susquehanna Avenue, Perryville, MD. Following the service, a luncheon will be held at the American Legion, Susquehanna Post No. 135, 300 Cherry Street, Perryville, MD.