Barbara Jean Taft

Barbara Jean Taft, age 87, of Tecumseh, formerly of Manitou Beach, passed away on March 24, 2014, at the Hospice Home of Lenawee. She was born on October 11, 1926, in Hudson, Mich., to Carl and Anna (Bacon) Smith. Barbara graduated from Adrian High School in 1944. On January 1, 1948, she married Hyrtl A. Taft of Adrian in Onsted, Mich. They celebrated 66 years of marriage on New Year’s Day.When Barbara was still in high school she worked for a cab company in Adrian as a dispatcher. After graduating, she worked at American Chain and Cable Company in Adrian from 1944–1956, where she made life-long friends. After leaving American Chain she helped her husband farm and raise livestock for over 50 years at their farm on Rome Road.Barbara was a life-long member of the Eastern Star as well as a founding member of the ladies club known as the Jolly Eighteen Club. She was an avid dancer, enjoying many Saturday nights at the local grange or dance hall with her husband, Hyrtl. She had been an election volunteer in Rollin Township, a school room mother, a masterful cook and baker, and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Barbara’s caring, loving nature, and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children: Candace (Stephen) Lombard of Crestline, Calif.; Bradley Taft of Adrian, Mich.; Constance (Michael) Marceau of Adrian, Mich.; and Lisa (Ricky) Marks of Clayton, Mich. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Courtney (Bret) Taft-Weyenberg, Zachary Marks, Chanda Marks, Kellen Marceau, and Kylie Marceau.She was preceded in death by her parents, her infant sister, Sally Ann Smith, her step-father, Owen Hawkins, and her youngest grandchild, Kathryn (Katie) Marceau. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Barbara’s honor on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Adrian with Reverend Lloyd Jewett officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or the American Heart Association. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Adrian.