Margaret Jane Barton

Margaret Jane Barton

- - was the daughter of Irma and Henry Walsh of Owosso, Michigan. She was a graduate of the Owosso High School in the class of 1941 and received her Bachelor's Degree in Art History from the University of Michigan in 1945. In 1946 she married her University classmate, David Watt Barton of Flint, Michigan. In 1949, their daughter, Linda Jane, was born when they lived in Birmingham, Michigan. Inn 1955, the family moved to Foxcroft subdivision in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. Over forty years of happy summers were spent at their summer home at L'Arbre Croche Club in Harbor Springs, Michigan beginning in 1971. In 1975, Margaret Jane began selling her folk art "theorem" paintings under the title, "Jane Barton Theorem Paintings". The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan gave her a contract to copy examples in their collection and bought her paintings to sell in their museum shops. Antique dealers and museum shops were among her best customers. David made her painted grained frames. Her interest in historic preservation inspired her to hire a restoration architect to preserve her father's Victorian style building in Owosso, which had housed his cigar store. The work was completed in 1980. Jane was a member of The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary of Metropolitan Detroit, Foxcroft Improvement Association, The Foxcroft Women's Club, Heirloom Chapter #145 Questers. She was a Silver Life member of The Village Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. While a member of the Classes Committee, she gave some lectures on historical subjects. In addition, Jane belonged to the U.of M. Alumni Association, The Martha Cook Building Alumnae Association, D.A.R. Piety Hill Chapter, Bloomfield Township Historical Society and Christ Church Cranbrook, etc. After 59 years of marriage, David passed away in 2005. Predeceased by daughter, Linda Jane Barton of Hackettstown, New Jersey in 2016. Jane is survived by her nieces Dorothy Barton Pazzi (Dennis) and Donna Barton. Memorial service Monday 11 a.m. at Christ Church Cranbrook, Lone Pine and Cranbrook Rds., Bloomfield Hills. Memorial tributes to Christ Church Cranbrook or Women's Auxiliary of Salvation Army of Metro Detroit or Charity of Donor's Choice. A.J. Desmond & Sons (248) 549-0500. View obituary and share memories at

AJDesmond.com