Jean Ann Barens

1932-2025

Jean Ann Barens was born February 6, 1932, in Glendale, California. She was the daughter of Charles and Georgette Switzer. She has a sister Ellen Montgomery, and she had a brother John Switzer who passed in 2023. Jean married her beloved husband, John Barens, who she met through sharing letters while he was serving in the Marines during the Korean War. Upon his return, they started dating and married two years later, on August 1, 1952. In 1963 they moved to Santa Barbara where Jean lived until her passing.

Jean had a heart for volunteering and spent years working with St. Vincent DePaul and at her first parish, St. Raphael’s. She was also a “Pink Lady” at Goleta Valley Hospital in the 70s and 80s.

Jean was incredibly creative. For most of her life she took adult education classes where she learned and mastered ceramics, calligraphy and many other art forms. She had an incredible gift for working with paper. Her handmade greeting cards were always a customized work of art and cherished by her family and friends.

Her love of her friends was evident by her devotion to her “stitch and bitch” group that met weekly for over 15 years at one another’s homes as well as her travel group that called themselves “The Ladies of the Blue Van”. They would frequently go out on excursions and trips, creating lifetime memories of fun and laughter all over Southern California.

She was a devoted friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to spend time with her friends and her family.

She is survived by her children Joni Barens, John Barens, Janet Flatebo (Gene Flatebo), and Jeff Barens (Kristi Barens); her grandchildren: Trina Schmieg, Luke Flatebo, Richard Flatebo, Will Barens, Tim Good, Joey Good, Jayme Good, Jacalyn Barens, Blake Barens, 17 great grandchildren, and her sister Ellen Montgomery.

Jean passed away peacefully on September 29 in Santa Barbara. A Rosary and Mass will be held in late October.