Barbara Antony Berry was born July 5, 1946, at Merritt Hospital in Oakland, Calif.
Her parents, Allan and Jane Berry, moved to Grand Junction, Colo., when Barbara was in first grade. Allan Craig, her baby brother and life’s inspiration, was born in 1954. Their mother gave them both incredible spirit and senses of humor that would last their lifetimes.
Barbara graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1964 and attended CSU in Fort Collins for two years. She planned to be a veterinarian; however, in the ’60s, the number of women and Colorado residents were restricted for pre-vet medicine. She left college and worked for the family drugstores (Mesa Drug Walgreen Agencies) before finding her dream job with a local veterinary hospital. She also learned dog grooming there.
A husband and the U.S. Navy brought Barbara to Whidbey Island in 1969, where she worked at Island Drug before grooming dogs for the newly-opened Raintree Kennel. She opened her own shop, Barb’s Grooming Shop, in 1972 at Chimes Corner on Midway Boulevard and thus began her love of the Oak Harbor community.
She divorced in 1981 and in 1987 married her true love, Robert McLean Jacobs. They were destined and made for each other! From 1991 to 1994 the Navy moved them to Rota, Spain, for four years of travel and adventure in Europe, a most wonderful time in their lives. They were fortunate to get orders back to their beloved Whidbey Island where Bob finished his nearly 30-year career in the Navy.
Upon returning, lifelong friend Nancy Fey offered Barb a job at the wonderful Discount Party Store, which Barb managed for nearly 15 years. She always said she had two dream jobs: “Dog Lady” and “Professional Party Girl!”
Barb was a lifelong charter member of Soroptimist International of Oak Harbor. Bob encouraged her early participation and she dearly loved Soroptimist and its mission to help women and girls, as well as all the wonderful friendships. She was also a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor.
In 2015 to 2016 she underwent successful treatment for lymphoma cancer. Bob and the Soroptimists were an incredible support group during those eight months. She thanked God every day for these and other blessings in her life.
Services for Barb will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorials to Soroptimists International of Oak Harbor, PO Box 893, Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF), PO Box 1108 Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home.
Thank you and “Hasta Luego Manchegos!”
