Jan. 25, 1931 – March 13, 2016

Jean was born on Jan. 25, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Lila and Merle Anderson, and died on March 13, 2016.

She was a secretary until she met the love of her life, Frank Barker, on a blind date on Labor Day Weekend in 1956. They married three months later on New Year’s Eve — in Las Vegas, of course.

Together they had five children: Ann Frances, Lila Beatrice, Chuck Anderson, Mike William and Jim Patrick, who gave them nine grandchildren: Karel, Nicholas and Joseph VandenHaak, Carrie Clemence, Christina Bolt, Jordon Mask, Cameron and Jeffrey Barker and Laura Barker.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Frank, son Jim, son-in-law Tony and brother Bruce.

Jean was a busy military wife as Frank was in the Navy for 30 years and was away on deployment much of the time the five children were growing up. Still, Jean found time for many outside activities, including being a member of the Officers’ Wives Club, Friends of the Library and TOPS, later in life joining the VFW Auxiliary and the New England Clubs.

She was an avid reader, loved puzzles, was proficient at knitting, crocheting and sewing, and loved crafting with her kids. Growing up in Minnesota left her with a lifelong love of figure skating and she even attended a world competition one year — a bucket list goal!

Jean’s warm and caring heart emanated in everything she did, and was especially evident when serving as the Sunshine Lady at the Senior Center for 20 years. Jean never ceased to have a smile on her face and have a positive thought or insightful quip or story to pass on to anyone who would listen. She saw the absolute best in every person she met and there was never a person who met her that did not like her. You could feel the warmth of her heart and her loving nature immediately upon meeting her. She will be missed by many.