Mary Barbour

New Hartford — Mary Jean Barbour, 92, of New Hartford, formerly of Farmington, Canton, Stonington, and Simsbury, died peacefully Friday, March 26, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Born in Cambridge, Mass., she was the daughter of John Jones Downey and Gertrude Joy. Due to her mother’s illness, her father moved with Jean down to Maryland into his father’s house who had just retired from the Maryland state senate. Jean also lived for a time with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Grace Riggs.

When Jean was 13, her father remarried Edna Magaw and moved to Ohio. Jean went to Ohio State University and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing. At Ohio State she also met her husband, James P. Barbour Jr. After graduation they moved to Missouri, then West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and finally Connecticut. She raised four children, worked as a nurse, and volunteered at the Red Cross. In Connecticut she worked in Unionville for Dr. Wolfson, in West Hartford for Dr. Rixon, and in New London for Dr. Roy Main.

After her husband’s passing, she moved to Canton, then Middlewoods in Farmington and lastly to her daughter’s home in New Hartford. She loved researching family genealogy and created a large collection of family memories. She also loved reading mysteries.

She leaves behind four children, Mikki Hinman (Peter), David Barbour (Carin), Steven Barbour (Diane), Beth Upjohn (Bill); 12 grandchildren; and 10-plus great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, April 5, at Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton. Calling hours will be held prior from 4 to 5 p.m. Masks and social distancing requested. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County. Please visit Mary’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.