Obituary of Jean Barker

Jean Barker, 87, passed away peacefully at the Baptist Retirement Center, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, January 14, 2017. Born in LaPorte, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Norman and Velma Christman. She enjoyed living in Sonestown, PA as a child, with her grandmother, Ada Hazen. Jean attended a one-room schoolhouse and rode to town in a horse and buggy with Jim Straw. As a teen, Jean moved to Elmira, New York and attended Southside High School where she majored in Business and Home Economics. She worked as an usher a theater in Elmira and loved dancing and singing. She met her husband of 66 years, Daniel Barker, at a dance when Daniel was home on leave from serving in the United States Navy. They were married at the Riverside Methodist Church in Elmira, New York. Jean's lifelong career then began, being wife and mother and caretaker to her family and home. Her career offered no vacation days or retirement benefits. It was a full time job, but she loved it and would never have chosen any other career. Jean and Daniel lived in New Jersey briefly, while he attended Rider College. Returning to the Elmira area, they began raising their family in Horseheads, New York. Jean led a Girl Scout Troop, and attended Riverside United Methodist Church in Elmira, NY where she also taught Sunday School. From there, the family transferred to Stratford, Connecticut. Jean participated in a lot of neighborhood activities and was known to share a cup of tea and socialize with many of her neighbors. In general, Jean readily participated in neighborhood hijinks. Eventually, the family moved to Glenville, New York, where Jean continued to take care of her family and began her new additional role as a Grandmother. Camping continued to be an important part of her life, and she was a member of the local Coachman Camping Club, where she attended numerous camping activities. During all of this, Jean was an avid bowler, and crafter. She could knit and crochet at the speed of lightning and also enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles. Ceramics was also important to her and she would make beautiful pieces that she would display around her home, or give as gifts to others. Upon retirement, Jean and her husband relocated briefly to Laurel Hill, North Carolina where they enjoyed additional traveling and going to Myrtle Beach to catch a show. She continued to collect various porcelain dolls, work on her crafts, and go to flea markets in the area. She was a member of the choir at the Church in the Pines. Anywhere Jean called home, it wasn't unusual to come home from school or work and find the whole house had been rearranged. She wouldn't only "clean under the couch"; she would relocate furniture from one room to the other. Her husband always joked that he turned lights on to ensure he landed on the bed when he retired every night, as he was never sure where the bed would be! Jean is survived by her true love, Daniel, her children Connie Culver, Dawn Craig, Robin (Kevin) Dooley, and Samantha (Robert) Cooper. Her grandchildren Michael (Wendy) Campbell, Heather (Glenn) Craig, Nathan (Grace) Craig, Amanda (Joe) Moore, Winifred (Jason) Flood, Kevin (Brittany) Wolfe, Jeremiah Dooley, Zachariah Dooley, Brian Cooper, and Jared Cooper. Jean's great-grandchildren Nicole Campbell, Madison Flood, Sophia Flood, Carter Flood, Emma Craig, and Loegan Wolfe. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Christman; and her sister Sharon (Harold) Bartlett. Jean is predeceased by her sisters Marjorie Scutt and Patty (Ronald) Cooper. She will be remembered for her strength and independence and her never-ending devotion to her family. Her family was her utmost priority and she took great pride and joy in all of them and their accomplishments. A service of remembrance will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial Donations, in lieu of flowers may be made to Rotterdam EMS at 2007 Cardiff Road, Schenectady, NY or to the Thomas Corners Fire District 7, 5 Airport Road, Glenville, NY