Meet Jean Barbour of Middlewoods of Farmington

As Jean’s father was in the construction business, the family moved often. Although born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jean lived in a number of states including Maryland, Virginia, Indiana and Washington State. She met her future husband, James Barbour, while attending Ohio State University where she graduated as a Registered Nurse.

The couple married in 1950 and began raising their family of four – Michele, David, Steven and Marybeth. They landed in West Simsbury in 1969. Having moved so early in life, Jean learned to make home wherever you “hang your hat.” In later years, the couple traveled extensively in Europe that included stops in England, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Germany.

The family has blossomed to include twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. As the family matriarch and geneologist, Jean is an avid scrapbook maker. In addition to a book for each member of the family, when you include other subjects, she’s created about 50 books in total! Jean is currently in the process of having her own history verified for membership into the national Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R).

An avid reader and writer, she frequents the lending library at Middlewoods of Farmington for a good mystery. She has also participated in the creative writing class offered to residents by local author, Janet Lawler. This class inspired Jean to begin work on her first composition, a reflection of her father’s travels while working in Africa. Who knows, perhaps Middlewoods will have its very own Pulitzer Prize winner one day?!

This Thanksgiving will mark Jean’s 3^rd anniversary at Middlewoods of Farmington. You’ll often see a family member by her side at our senior living community and with such close family ties, I suspect Thanksgiving comes everyday for her. “Home is where you hang your hat,” and for Jean, family comes first.

Middlewoods is an award-winning assisted living community in Farmington located at 509 Middle Road and is affiliated with the UCONN Health Center. To visit Middlewoods of Farmington, call 860.284.5700 or email Ginny at gbrown@umh.org.