Evy Barber and her twin sister Emy were born in Millington on Jul 18, 1932. They were the 5th and 6th children of Lavern and Golda (Jobson) Ostrander. They graduated from Millington High School in 1950 where they were known for their beauty, academic achievement, and active participation in several extra curricular activities.
Evy went on to become a savvy, successful business woman. Among her many credits her favorites were: having been a real estate broker in Phoenix, AZ during the building boom of the 50s and 60s; cooking for her brother’s restaurant The Cider Barrel in Vassar in the 70’s; and completing a career by retiring from the Wickes Corporation as Corporate Pension and Benefits Administrator. She loved to fish, to garden, and to say she liked to cook is like saying Michelangelo liked to draw. By far though, her greatest joy and passion in life was family. She treated nieces and nephews as if they were her children and friends, and friends as if there were sisters and brothers. She was generous and loved giving gifts, and to surprise people with them. Evy loved to travel as long as someone she loved was at the end of the journey. In 1959, she and Emy drove straight through from Phoenix to Michigan for her niece’s wedding, with their combined five children under the age of 9, just to be with family.
Evy passed away at her home in Millington on Wednesday evening Mar 20, 2007. Evy will be welcomed in the next life by her parents; her beloved sisters, Emy and Doris; brother, “Bud”; nephews, Dennis and Dave; and niece, Debbie. She leaves behind her daughter, Jan Dougherty and fiancée Steve Titsworth; son, Jon Barber; grandchildren, Jeni and Don Long, Erin Dougherty, Mark, Patrick, and Rebecca Stoner, Julia and Sarah Barber; great granddaughter, Sara; ex husband and cherished friend, Ket Barber; sisters and brothers, Wanda Straw, Mary Lou and Jim DuBois, and Louis Gilbert; and Emy’s children, Jill and Bill Earl, Lori and Larry Gere, Shelly and Jim Cobb, and Scott and D’Anne Sandersfield. She also leaves many other truly loved nieces, nephews, and friends who each know her love in their hearts and will miss her greatly. Evy did not want a funeral, nor did she want anyone to grieve her passing but to celebrate life, and so there will be no services except at graveside on Sat, Mar 24, 2007 at 10 am at the Millington Twp. Cemetery, friends are welcome to attend. Memorial gifts of remembrance in Evy’s memory can be directed to Genesys Hospice. Hanlin Funeral Home has been assisting the Barber Family with Evy’s arrangements.