Barbara Ann Horan

Barbara Ann (Boyd) Horan, 72, of South Haven slipped the bonds of life on Monday, December 1st at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in South Haven.

Barbara loved life. She lovingly tended her gorgeous flower gardens and made her home beautiful and warm. Peonies and irises were abundant from her green thumb. Her vegetable gardens, well fertilized from the Horan horses, were remarkable. Her family was well nourished by her hard labor and healthy gardens. Her lawns were meticulous and the job simply was not done until it was done. What a lesson she taught about the importance of hard work, commitment and finishing what you start.

She never tired of the elaborate preparations for holidays, family gatherings or family meals whether for 7 or 150. No detail was too small to be overlooked. Never did she plan or host an event at which she did not succeed remarkably. .

Barbara loved family and friends. Her family was her life. She lavished her time and attention on her husband Tim, her children, her parents, brothers and sisters and her friends. She was a great wife, mother and homemaker. She saw the work of caring for her family as the most important work to be done.

She believed that personal style and appearance were important. She was an attractive woman and she dressed confidently. From her days as House of David Beauty Queen to her final days she always took great care to look her very best.

Barbara loved the sun. With Tim she spent many a warm winter in their home in Florida – a true snow bird at heart.

Barbara assisted Tim with the South Haven Redi Mix, which later became known as Horan Concrete, for 30 years until 1985.

She was born March 8, 1936 in New Troy, Michigan to William and Justina (Waters) Boyd. Barbara graduated from high school in Bellingham, Washington. Barbara married Tim Horan on June 3, 1960.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Justina and William Boyd, her son – Kevin Horan and brother – Donald Boyd.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 48 years, Tim, and her children – Kathy (Dennis) Plockmeyer of Maryland, Timothy (Tamsen) Horan of Alto, New Mexico, Jim (Beth) Horan of South Haven, Michael (Judy) Horan of Brighton, Michigan and Brian (Teresa) Horan of South Haven. She is also survived by seven grandchildren – Robert, Charles, Justin, Nick, Brian, Regin, and Spencer, five great grandchildren. three brothers – Allen Boyd of Bridgman, Michigan William Boyd of New Troy, Michigan, Dean Boyd of Bridgman, Michigan and two sisters - Donna Ferrier of Barefoot Bay, Florida and Jeanne Krieger of New Troy, Michigan.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3 from 6-8pm at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 10am at the funeral home with Rev. Father Robert Flickinger officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Basil Church or South Haven Hospice at home. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.