Jean Barnes

Jean Barnes passed away on February 4, 2013 after a long struggle with heart disease. She was truly a local girl, born on April 19, 1927 at the historic Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital in Ventura. She graduated from Ventura High School before accompanying her husband, Tom Walbridge, to Florida, where he was stationed during World War II. Afterwards, they returned to California and raised a family in Ojai. Jean was both a homemaker and an active volunteer in her children’s activities such as Scouts, 4-H, Job’s Daughters, and DeMolay. She enjoyed cooking, playing bridge, and was an excellent seamstress. She was a charter member of the Ojai Valley Methodist Church.

In the 1970’s Jean moved to the Los Angeles area where she worked as a nursing assistant and met her second husband, Bill Barnes. They enjoyed square dancing, camping, swimming and excursions along the California coast where she spent many hours in the surf. Even into her 70’s she enjoyed taking her grandchildren to the beach and water parks. Jean and Bill were able to see Alaska, the Virgin Islands, Iceland, England, Korea, and many countries in Western Europe while visiting members of their family who worked overseas. They also traveled extensively in their motor home throughout the United States and Canada. After their retirement, they returned to Ventura where she has lived for the past 18 years.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, William Barnes; her son, Dale Walbridge; her parents, Allan and Billie Rawson; and her brother, Ken Rawson.

She is survived by her son, Alan Walbridge (wife Dorothy), daughter, Carol Walbridge (husband Gene), stepson Frank Barnes, and stepdaughter Benita Barnes, nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

A special thanks to Jean’s good friend, Bud Elliott, who was a constant source of support and brought her great joy during the final years of her life. Also, the residents of the Buena Ventura Mobile Home Park and the members of the Ventura Baptist Church have provided her many acts of love and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.

A graveside service will be held at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road in Ventura on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 11:00 A.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.