Jeannine Deshaies Barron

Jeannine Deshaies Barron

Abilene, TX

The world lost a little sparkle on September 10, 2015, when Jeannine Mariette Deshaies Barron died after a long illness. She had bright eyes and a silly, infectious giggle. She could never pass up a bargain or fail to pick up a little something to brighten someone's day. We could open a shop with all the greeting cards she left behind; she was ready to mark any event or just let you know she was thinking of you. We also found her candy stashes. Mom, or "Memere" to her grandchildren, was always a reliable source of treats. She raised her children to be well mannered and free of prejudice. She could talk to anyone, and often did. All of her children were at one time mortified by the sharing of personal stories with someone standing in a line.

Jeannine was born August 9, 1936 in Somersworth, N.H. to Charles Gideon Deshaies and Grace Hamel Deshaies. She cherished her father, a police officer, but that didn't rule out sneaking around in forbidden "dungarees" with her girlfriends on occasion. She grew up bilingual in a French Canadian community, and she often returned to French when she needed to express exasperation. She was a high school cheerleader, beauty queen, sodajerk, telephone operator, Sunday school teacher, and general manager of a large household.

Hermann Johann Barron, a Latvian immigrant and dashing young airman, caught Jeannine's eye in September of 1956, the stars collided, and the two were married on March 9, 1957. Moving frequently for the USAF, they lived in many states and in Japan before settling in Abilene in 1977. Sons Glen and Greg were born in 1958 and 1959, and daughters Charlene and Colette were born in 1966 and 1967. Jeannine and Hermann shared the sorrow of miscarriages but also experienced the joy of adoption with sweet twins Allie and Addie, born in 1985.

Jeannine couldn't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow but that didn't stop her from singing a little. She enjoyed Elvis, John Denver, and Patsy Cline, and she was an insatiable reader who taught her children to read at an early age. Her Catholic faith guided her. She enjoyed dogs, and she devoured anything coconut. She was very much a mother and thought all kids deserved to be happy and healthy. She and Hermann were foster parents to dozens of children and long-time supporters of children's causes. Babies, especially her extraordinary grandchildren, were her favorite creatures. We know if Heaven is of her making, Jeannine is content, walking with a child's hand resting softly in hers.

Jeannine was predeceased by her parents and three brothers. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her beloved husband Hermann and her children and their families: Glen and Darla Barron and grandson Keaton; Greg and Lisa Barron and grandson Gavin; Charlene and Oscar Quintana; Colette and David Bradsby and granddaughters Jeannine, Josie, and Elyza; and Allie and Addie Barron.

A funeral Mass for Jeannine will be held at 11:00 AM on October 12 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Abilene, TX, Monsignor Frederick Nawarskas presiding. As per her wishes, Jeannine's ashes will be scattered on a beach where she and Hermann spent many happy times. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity benefiting children.