Barbara Jean Jessup

Barbara Jean Jessup, age 75, peacefully passed away on May 3rd, 2018 with John, her loving care giver husband and her dear friend by her side. Barbara was born in Spooner, Wisconsin on December 26th, 1942 to John and Dorothy Kenowski. After becoming best friends for many years, John and Barbara got married near Pullman, Washington where Brian, Barbaras youngest son was attending WSU. Johns mother Anna, was flown out from Junction City Kansas to witness as well. Most of the time, the 3 boys were raised only by Barbara while she worked full time at a couple of jobs, last being Hewlett Packard in Vancouver, WA. The two sons from birth were Mark, the oldest and Brian the youngest. Michael was made part of the family after adoption. They lived on a small farm outside of Battle Ground, WA where all the boys attended school. After marrying John, Barbara was able to retire from HP and be a full time farm keeper and master gardener on their 45 acre certified timber tree farm between La Center and Woodland WA. For those lucky enough to get to know Barbara, she was full of unconditional love for her boys. It was futile to even think to get between her and the boys. Barbara had many loves, her husband, her boys and all the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lived to work in her organic garden and the few who saw it, had nothing but praise for her talents. Here on the farm, John and Barbara were at peace with life and what they had. In the last 12 weeks while John was the only care giver, many meaningful and cherished conversations and recollections were experienced. Barbara was as strong in her own destiny as she was with the passing of Mark and Brian before her. She was loving, completely honest, hardworking, liked to keep it organic and simple, and above all, loved all animals (except spiders) and plants. She cherished all her Native American art which covers 7 out of 8 walls in our dining and living rooms. She donated funds to a Native American school in South Dakota for many years. Barbara was able to travel with John all over the country which when returning, had a floor board full of rocks which she loved to collect. They are in her amazing garden. She loved trips to the ocean and enjoyed many hours walking on the beach. Her and John always were happy to come home to heaven on the farm. Their friends there were the Elk, the Deer, the possum, the raccoons, the birds, and an occasional coyote. Barbara was simply a loving person who will be always remembered by those lucky enough to know her. Knowing her better than anyone, as she knows me better than anyone, I can feel utter pride in the privilege to share most of my life with her. She was and still is part of me. Her legend will be taken forward with pride until I join her in heaven. She is now with her loving sons in heaven. We didnt like to kill a tree for Christmas and dont care to kill flowers for show. Our preference is potted plants that can be planted and continue to grow in tribute to an amazing, loving woman who brought love and joy to those who knew her. Thanks you God for bringing us this person to share and hopefully, be a better person. Love nature, all animals and all plants and we will all be more like Barbara and it will certainly be a better world.

Barbara Jean Jessup

December 26, 1942 - May 3, 2018