Jean Adelle Barrett, or Jean A, as her husband Jack affectionately called her, passed away Tuesday March 26, 2019 in her Whidbey Island home at the age of 97 surrounded by family. She was born on Feb. 24, 1922 to John and Alice MacLennan, in Red Lodge Montana.

Jean lost her life partner of 76 years, Jack, in December 2017 and was also preceded in death by her parents, a sister and two brothers, one daughter-in-law, one grandson and one great great grandson.

Jean is survived by sons John, and his wife Branka, of Roswell, N.M., and Christopher, of Freeland, and three daughters, Susan and Jenny, of Freeland, and Jean Mary and her husband John, of Yakima.

She was also blessed with 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

Jean was a devout Catholic and was the driving force in our family. One of the great teachers, always pushing us to learn new things and to question everything until it lead to the truth.

Gentle, tender, caring and honest. She didn’t suffer fools lightly.

The ultimate gardener, a never-ending painter and artist, talented and funny writer, always improving and making the world — our world — more beautiful. She read more books than was humanly possible because she had questions. And she shared the answers with us, lucky us.

One garden, one painting, one child, grandchild, great grandchild, great great grandchild at a time, her legacy will continue to beautify and improve this world. She painted the night skies with wonderful stars to come.

A life so well-lived and shared, thank you Mom for the most generous gift you gave us — life itself.

Your job is finished Mom, well done good and faithful servant. Now go and rest in peace with Dad.

We love you and will keep learning.

Rosary and Funeral Mass is at 1:30 p.m. May 11 at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Langley.