Barbara MacFarlane Street

Barbara MacFarlane Street passed away peacefully May 19, 2016 with her daughter at her side. Barbara was born December 22, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan, to Frank MacFarlane and Hortense Holt MacFarlane. She was preceded in death by Tom Street, her husband of 42 years; and her beloved twin brother, Bob, who was killed in a flight training accident in World War II. She is survived by her older sister, Jane MacFarlane Aldrich of Detroit, Michigan; her son, John, and daughter-in-law, Mary, of Dearborn, Michigan; her daughter, Joan Smith, and son-in-law, Juan; and grandsons, Paul and Brian of The Woodlands, Texas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and grand dogs and a grand cat.

Barbara grew up in Detroit and attended Michigan State College, now Michigan State University, where she was a science major. After the start of WWII, she left college and moved to Riverside, Illinois, to live with her mother, aunt and uncle. It was there that she met her husband, Tom. She and Tom were longtime residents of Hinsdale, Illinois, where Barbara was an active member of the community. Barbara was always volunteering her time in one way or another. She was a PTA president, Union Church of Hinsdale Christmas bizarre chair, and volunteer with a group of gardeners who created a garden at the Robert Taylor Homes housing project in the inner city of Chicago. A business woman, Barbara was a partner in The Little Book Shop and the assistant manager and, then, manager of Washington Square Retirement in Hinsdale. After she retired, she took continuing adult education classes at the local community college and took many trips around the world with Union Church. Barbara loved to travel and was in Saigon visiting a friend when the Vietnam War Peace Treaty was signed in 1973. She also took advantage of her daughter’s flight benefits with British Airways and travelled with her to then Russia, London, Paris, Lisbon and Barcelona. A couple of years after the death of her husband Tom in 1990 she moved to The Woodlands to be close to her daughter. In The Woodlands, she continued her volunteering with the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter Hand Me up Shop, was on the board of Bay Branch Condominiums, and participated in various gardening projects. Barbara loved to garden and moving to The Woodlands allowed her to garden almost year round. She spent her summers in Douglas, Michigan, to escape the heat and humidity and be with her family and longtime friends. In her later years, she continued her volunteer work by making ‘no sew’ blankets for the many organizations her daughter in law Mary championed.

She lived at The Conservatory for 4 ½ years and her family would like to thank the staff, especially Judy, who made her feel so at home. We appreciate their guidance when her health began to fail.We also are grateful for the staff at Brookdale who took such wonderful care of her in her final months. A special thanks to Penny, Gayla and Valerie who went above and beyond in their care and attention. Vantage Hospice provided professional, responsive and caring treatment for Barbara so she would be at peace in her final weeks and days. We also thank the Caring Ministry team at The Woodlands United Methodist Church for their visits and prayers. A heartfelt thank you to all.

Barbara was a very independent person, and her spirit will be missed by her family and friends.

The family is having a Memorial Service on Tuesday June 21st at 11:00 a.m. at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in the Robb Chapel. Pastor Mark Sorenson will be officiating.