Barbara Isabel Trevarton

Barbara, with her parents and sister, lived in Michigamme from her birth through kindergarten, then her family moved to Crystal Falls, Michigan, where she attended first through 12th grade. After graduation in 1946, Barb attended Northwestern University’s Evanston Hospital School of Nursing, where she excelled academically and earned her Diploma of Nursing degree in the summer of 1949. In October of 1949, while employed as a nurse at Stambaugh Hospital, Barbara met her future husband, Kenneth James Trevarton, they were united in marriage in Crystal Falls, on July 15th, 1950. Ken was her “tall, dark and handsome”, for her lifetime plus her/our worshiped WWII Air Force Veteran and hero! Daughters, Linda Trevarton (Gary) Goodman (Marquette, MI) and Jean Trevarton (John) Ehman (Olean, NY) were born while the family resided in Iron River. The family moved to Kansas in 1958, where Barb continued her nursing career at Kansas Wesleyan University and at Asbury Hospital, Salina. Barb was an avid sports fanatic, carefully following stats for “her” football, basketball, and baseball teams, she mandated “silence” during games so she did not miss a game call! She was active in walking, swimming and biking until her later years, even slalom water skiing at sixty-eight years. Barb was an excellent cook who prided herself with baking familial recipes celebrating her heritage, while “ANY other cook spoils the broth.” Barb was a thrifty and versatile seamstress, she also loved to knit, especially mittens and hats.

After Ken died suddenly in 1969, Barb relocated to Troy, Michigan. She bought a new home and initiated a fresh career in Vocational Education/Health Occupations at both Troy and Athens high schools. She furthered her education at the University of Michigan campuses, earning a Vocational Education Teaching degree. Also relying on her extensive nursing experience, Barb successfully placed her students throughout the county as Nursing Assistants. Barb further continued her career as a nurse for the Warren Consolidated Schools, until her retirement. She was a dedicated Sunday school teacher, choir member and director. In addition to being a beautiful vocalist and violinist, Barb was also a talented pianist. Barb was raised a Methodist and actively practiced her faith and tithing, she was a choir member and director plus Sunday school teacher. With dear friend, Bobbi Geno, she traveled internationally to explore and embrace countries of her heritage. Her grandchildren and great- grandchildren were the “lights of her life” and she always took great pride in following their athletic and extracurricular activities over many years. In 2013, Barb moved from Troy to Marquette to spend her final years in her beloved Upper Peninsula.

In addition to Ken, Barb was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Joan Meyer Larson.

She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, as well as, grandchildren: Greg (Kelly) Goodman, Christa Goodman (Ryan) Hubbard, Mark (Sonya) Ehman and Jessica (Marc) Gaylor, as well as great- grandchildren: Grady Goodman, Tessa Hubbard, Penelope and Henry Ehman and Lillian Gaylor. Barb is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including especially devoted ones: Ann, Steve and John Larson and their families who flooded her with beautiful flowers and sentimental wishes and cards. Lifetime dear friends from the Troy area, Jody and Jerry McCarthy remained in positive contact until her final days. Barb maintained contact with one surviving cousin, Norbert Dishaw, of Crystal Falls.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the especially loving people at Mill Creek Independent and Assisted Living for their compassionate care and sincere friendships with Barb (and us) for the previous 10 years. Thanks also, to Tony Lackey, PA. and his extraordinary nurse, Tammy of UP Health System – Bell for outstanding professional care. Erin Swadley was an “angel on earth” sharing immeasurable loving kindness to Barb for the past decade. UPHH & Hospice professionals gently guided mom and her family on her final journey this past month.

Honoring her wishes, Barb will be buried with a private family service in Iron River’s Rest Haven Cemetery with her husband, Ken, at her side. Memorials may be contributed to one of her favorite organizations: Friends of Camp BATAWAGAMA, P.O. Box 482, Iron River, MI 49935 or Christ United Methodist Church, 20 S. 5th Street, Crystal Falls, MI 49920.

Barb’s final care is entrusted to Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhans en.com.

“Grief never ends. But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. Grief is the price of love.” -Donna VanLiere