Barbara Ann Parker

PARKER, BARBARA ANN, age 62, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 1, 2018, following a six-month courageous battle with cancer. Barbara was born in St Petersburg, Florida but was raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti where her family had a Coca-Cola Bottling company and distribution business. She was fluent in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. Barbara attended Webber International University in Babson Park, Florida where she received a degree in marketing. After college, she returned to Haiti and worked for the family business and later she relocated to the United States and made Miami her home. She worked for the law firm Greenburg Traurig for several years, then in catering for the Miami Sheraton Riverhouse. She was an active volunteer for the PTA at Pinecrest Elementary and she culminated her career as an Administrator for the Fine Arts Department at Westminster Christian School in Miami. Barbara shared 35 years with her loving husband and best friend, Ed. The couple has two children, Michael and Laura. She is also survived by her sister, Patty Forgham-Thrift, and brothers Ron, Earl (Judy) and Rick (Lynne) Forgham. Barbara loved life. She loved to travel and entertain guests with elaborate party planning binders with daughter Laura by her side. She spent many enjoyable hours as a child on her father's boat in Haiti and more recently on her family's boat in Miami. She was an excellent swimmer and loved spending time on the water fishing with her son, Michael, and family. Barbara loved all pets but particularly, Jacko, her parrot of 34 years and the Parkers' beloved family dog, Bailey, a Labrador Retriever. She was incredibly generous and never missed an opportunity to send a thoughtful card or a cheery text. A Memorial Service will be held for her at 11:00 AM on July 21 at Old Cutler Presbyterian Church at 14400 Old Cutler Road in Palmetto Bay, FL where she was a member. A reception will immediately follow at Pinecrest Gardens at 11100 Red Road in Pinecrest. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Barbara Ann Parker, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 (800-822-6344