August 25, 1940 to February 15, 2022
TRAVERSE CITY– Jean Barto, formerly of Washington, D.C. and Detroit, died at the Chelsea Retirement Community in Chelsea, on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
Jean and Dick married in a joint Episcopal-Roman Catholic ceremony in Farmington Hills on May 22, 1982. Jean graduated from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in International Politics and did post-graduate work in Michigan.
She worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development and United States Marshals Service. At the Marshals Service Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, she headed the Real Estate Branch of the Asset Forfeiture unit and retired from it with highest honors. She grew up in Washington, D.C. and later lived in Juneau, Chicago, Detroit, northern Virginia, and Bloomfield Twp. She traveled in the Middle East, Europe, Britain, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States.
A devoted Episcopalian, she completed the church’s 4-year Education for Ministry program qualifying her to be a deacon in certain diocese. She was a Lay Eucharistic Minister and member of the Centering Prayer Group at Grace Episcopal Church in Traverse City.
She was a proud, very liberal Democrat, and fervent supporter of women’s reproductive rights, including Planned Parenthood.
Due to her husband’s wish they moved to Traverse City from Fairfax, Virginia, in 2002. Here she enjoyed friends, swimming, fitness workouts, and voluminous reading.
She is survived by Dick, her beloved husband of 40 years; sister, JoAnn (Jerry) Lacey of Silver Spring, MD; sister-in-law, Barbara Myers of Cookeville, TN; and their families. Additionally, she is survived by Dick’s children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Marian (Bates) Myers; her brother, Reverend Howard Myers; and her beloved labrador retriever, Tess.
The family especially thanks her doctors, nurses, volunteers, friends, CRC and Arbor Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood, 1135 E. Eighth St., Traverse City, MI 49686, or to Grace Episcopal Church, 341 Washington St., Traverse City, MI 49684.
Her body has been cremated. Services are pending at this time. Burial will be in Meadowridge Memorial Park in Elkridge, Maryland. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea.
Click here to watch the video of Jean's memorial service at Chelsea Retirement Community.
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