Barbara Jane Tappen

Barbara Jane Tappen passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, at the age of 97 at the home of her daughter, Amy, in Howell, Michigan. She was born on May 14, 1928, to Stephen and Olive Ellsworth in Detroit, Michigan. On July 1, 1950, Barbara married the love of her life, Robert Arthur Tappen. Barbara and Bob enjoyed 67 wonderful years together until his passing at the age of 94 in 2017.

Barbara is survived by their six children, Susan (John) Giza, Elizabeth (Roger) Varblow, Mark (Denise) Tappen, Daniel (Cheryl) Tappen, Grant (Susan) Tappen, and Amy (James) Davenport, as well as 27 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild due in October, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Warren Ellsworth, Shirley Schrader, and Joan Allen.

Barbara was a loving and devoted wife, mom, (great) grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed crafting and sewing and gave many of her projects to others. A kind, positive, beautiful, smart, and content person, with a fun sense of humor, Barbara was a joy to us all. Her children call her "blessed and a blessing," because she was a woman who feared and loved God.

Barbara will be dearly missed, but we will see her again in Heaven.

There will be a memorial service for Barbara 11AM Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Cornerstone EPC Church, 9455 Hilton Road, Brighton, MI 48114, with visitation an hour prior to the service. Lunch will follow the service at the church.