Barbara Humphries

Barbara L. Humphries was a woman of true character with a love for teaching and learning, a love only exceeded by the passion she held for her family and grandchildren, whom she held so dear to her heart. With education a high priority in her life, Barbara went on to become a dedicated teacher who impacted thousands of young lives during her many years of teaching.

During the bleak era of the 1930s, with our nation in the clutches of the Great Depression, families did what they could to make their lives happy. Families gathered around radios for entertainment and the golden age of the mystery novel continued as people escaped into books. In the midst of these confusing and difficult times, Archie and Verna (Brandt) McLean of Detroit, Michigan, welcomed into this world on August 1, 1935, their first child, daughter Barbara Lois. She was later joined by her little brother, Bob, who completed the McLean family. Archie earned a living working with the railroad, while Verna, originally from Alpena, stayed home and cared for their family.

Barbara was a happy little girl, very smart yet quite mischievous too. In fact, her family could recall many stories of how she would chase her brother Bob around, teasing him as big sisters do, and just simply getting into trouble. In school, Barbara excelled as an outstanding speller, winning many spelling bees and even earned some prizes like the family Bible and a typewriter. The family owned a cottage located at what is now Kensington Park, and this was the place where the whole family gathered, including cousins, having fun and sharing many special occasions together.

After graduating high school, Barbara attended Western Michigan University, where she earned her teaching certificate. It was also on campus that she met a handsome young man named Jack Humphries, who was studying business. The two soon began dating and loved to have fun in everything they did, including playing tennis. Both were in a sorority and fraternity, respectively, and often times the two Greek societies would borrow a bunch of mattresses to take to Lake Michigan, where they would have a bonfire and relax on the comfy beds. On occasion, when Barbara would get mad at Jack, she would “borrow” his car, which was hailed as Green Vomit, starting it with a mere nickel. When not out having fun, Barbara earned some extra money in college by modeling for Montgomery Ward.

1957 was a year of change for the couple. In addition to Jack graduating college, they were happily married, just prior to Jack enlisting in the Army. While he was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, Barbara stayed in Michigan to finish her degree, but soon joined him after graduating. Once here, Barbara put her education to good use right away by teaching Mexican immigrants. In 1961, after Jack’s four-year tour of duty was complete, the couple returned to the Detroit area and built a beautiful home in Farmington Hills. Their home was always a great source of pride for Barbara and Jack. They did much of the work around their house, especially landscaping, all themselves. This included a stately stone wall they built, all of the lush gardening and the stone stairs that goes around the home, which they built with rocks from the river nearby. In fact, all the beautiful work to their home was highlighted on the cover of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine in 1971.

Barbara and Jack soon filled their beautiful abode and hearts with the joy and laughter of their two adopted children: Jason in 1967 and Shayne in 1970. During this time, Barbara was teaching full-time at Shear Elementary School, but after Jason entered their lives, she went part-time in order to devote herself to the role of a mother. And once Shayne joined the family, Barbara would only do substitute teaching. Family was always first in her heart. Jack, who earned a living as a pharmaceutical salesman, was the tough-love disciplinarian in the family while Barbara balanced out the equation with a slightly softer disposition. The children were required to help out around the house before going off to play, perhaps weeding the sidewalk area or hauling bundles of woodchips, but their mother made it a little nicer by bringing them snacks while doing their chores. During the summer months, when school was out, the family enjoyed traveling together, visiting places along the east coast and camping up and down Lake Michigan. They also stayed active in the Tennis Club and the Kendall Wood Swim Club.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Barbara had many talents around the house. She was a wonderful cook and a great hostess at their many parties. Their parties were always the talk of the neighborhood, since their neighbors were most commonly there. Some of their get togethers were themed, like the crazy lingerie party, while other times it was just an entertaining good time, especially when they got in the hot tub. One of Barbara’s most endearing traits was her meticulous eye for detail - everything had to be perfectly presented. For instance, food was served in separate dishes, including dinner rolls in their own linen lined basket, and her family was always well dressed and neatly pressed in the latest fashion of the day. Barbara was a proper lady who liked to dress just right.

Although Barbara’s life was happy, it was also marked with great sorrow. She unexpectedly lost her beloved husband Jack on August 21, 1977, due to heart complications. Barbara would never find one who could take the place of her one true love – nor did she want to. With the love and support of her family and friends, Barbara did not give up on life and instead began to pursue her interests and hobbies with even more fervor. She returned to one of her greatest passions – teaching, at First Presbyterian Nursery, where both her children and two grandchildren had attended. Then in the mid 1980s, Barbara returned to school to earn her specialist and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Development. After leaving First Presbyterian, she taught at Fairview Elementary School for a time before taking a teaching position at Alameda Elementary School, which was her absolute favorite school. For a time, this was a school of choice and many parents were bringing their children here just to be taught by her. Although she loved Alameda, Barbara spent some time teaching at Wooddale Elementary and back at Alameda before retiring from her career at Hillside Elementary School.

With a passion this great, Barbara found it hard to just let go of teaching so she did some substituting for a couple of classes this year. Aside from her traditional teaching career, Barbara also substituted for mentally handicapped classes and at the Boys Republic, a center for troubled youth. The mark of an admired teacher, Barbara was well remembered by many people years after being taught by her, and her ever thoughtful handmade Christmas presents she presented her students with each year were great treasures.

When not teaching, Barbara enjoyed time to relax and pursue her hobbies. She was quite talented in crocheting and avidly made many art objects with this craft, like pillows hung up with chimes intertwined in them. Her artistic talent even won a few ribbons at local art shows. And as an art enthusiast, Barbara loved attending the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair each year. Her gardening and working around the house continued to be great passions in her life and it was said her Christmas decorations were a sight to behold. When her children were growing up, the family had a few pets, a Schnauzer named Bruno and a Yorkie. Barbara’s daughter Shayne remembers wanting a kitten, but her mother didn’t want anything that shed in the house, so they got their Yorkie, which was mean to everyone but Barbara.

Of all the wonderful, passionate things in Barbara’s life, spending time with her loved ones towered above the rest. Her grandchildren brought great joy to her life and she loved them dearly. Barbara was also a wonderful friend to many people throughout her life and when she became ill with cancer, they returned her many great deeds by being a constant support and help during these difficult times.

A truly inspirational person, Barbara was destined to make her mark in the hearts of her cherished family, friends and her many students through the years. She was there for anyone at anytime, not because she had to be, but because she wanted to share fully in the lives of the people she loved. Barbara’s beauty and kindness will be remembered forever.

Barbara Lois Humphries died on Saturday, March 26, 2005, age 69. Beloved wife of the late Jack Humphries. Loving mother of Jason (Marcie) Humphries and Shayne (Kevin) Coumoundouros. Devoted grandmother of Stephanie and Ilana Humphries and Daren and Alyssa Coumoundouros. Sister of Bob (Sandy) McLean.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 29, and Wednesday, March 30, from 5-9 p.m. at the McCabe Life Story Funeral Home, 31950 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 31, at 11 a.m. at McCabe Funeral Home. Please visit Barbara’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.