Barbara Haines

Resided in Escanaba, MI
Died March 24, 2013

Escanaba, MI
Barbara H. Haines died early Sunday morning, March 24, 2013, in her home in Escanaba, Michigan, after a long illness.

Barbara was born in Kendallville, Indiana, on December 8, 1927, the daughter of Charles and Esther (Livengood) Hosler of Kendallville, Indiana. She attended Hanover College, where she met and married her husband, Byron L. Haines.

Soon after, Barbara and Byron decided to dedicate their life to service and became missionaries for the Presbyterian Church, USA. Together they served at both Forman Christian College in Lahore and the Christian Study Center in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, for almost twenty years. During that time Barbara and Byron worked to improve the education and lives of Christians and Muslims in Pakistan, while raising two children and taking the opportunity to explore Pakistan, and many other countries in Europe and Asia.

Returning to the United States in 1977, Barbara took a job with Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, as Registrar. There she worked to implement the first computerized student registration system and was an active member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church where she and Bryon enjoyed singing in the church choir. Ten years later, Barbara and Byron moved to Borden, Indiana, where Barbara could focus her attention on being a grandmother, homemaker and gardener.

Barbara enjoyed a life-long love of gardening. Wherever she lived she cultivated large vegetable and herb gardens, beautiful flower gardens, and raised orchids. Barbara was a certified Master Gardener and was active in the Amaranth Society. She especially loved to use her fresh produce in her cooking, and was an excellent chef and baker as well.

Barbara loved the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and her home in Grand Marais. There she enjoyed looking for agates, hiking in the woods, or just sitting on the porch reading mysteries. She made many contributions to community life including volunteering at the Grand Marais Historical Society.

She is survived by two children, Edwin T. and (Deborah) Haines of Escanaba, and Andrew D. Haines of Arlington, VA; and three grandchildren Jesse Haines, Levinus Haines, and Elijah Haines. Also surviving is her brother David (Carla) Hosler, of St. Louis, Missouri.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Byron (1990).

Barbara will be interred in the spring at Rose Hill Cemetery, Grand Marais, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Marais Historical Society, P.O. Box 179, Grand Marais, Michigan, 49839.

2 Tributes for “Barbara Haines

    I offer my condolences to Barbara’s family. I remember her hearty laughter and good humor. She and Byron were quite a team, and I know she is as glad to join him again as he is to have her back. Cherish the memories of both of them as I will. Love, Roseann (Hartford Seminary)

    Barbara touched my mom’s life as well as mine at North Wood’s. When visiting my mom (Connie Barrett), we spent many hours together talking, laughing, sharing and drinking coffee. My mom thought the world of Barb and referred to her as “my best friend”. I will miss visiting Barb and Sparkle and seeing her smiling face.

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