Jean (Walsh) Barker Coleran

Coleran, Jean (Walsh) Barker of Hingham, died peacefully November 28, 2016, at the age of 86.

Jean was born in 1930 to Clementine and Francis Walsh and was raised with her brother Melvin and sister Barbara in Weymouth.  She was married to John Barker in 1950 and they raised their four children in Hingham.  After his death in 1967, Jean was proud to support the forming of the John Barker Basketball League in his memory.  This league continues to serve the boys and young men of Hingham today. She was a secretary early in her career and later served the Hingham Public Schools as a secretary in the administration building.  Jean married Ed Coleran in 1979, residing in Hingham for 35 years until his death.

 Family, faith and community were the central themes of Jean’s life.  She adored her children, grandchildren, and extended family with all her heart.  An adventurous soul, Jean enjoyed a variety of activities including, gardening, tennis, swimming, biking, mountain climbing, music and dancing.  She was also very creative and made beautiful quilts and braided rugs. She was a lifelong learner, continuing to take courses in her adult years.  Jean was an active member of the community at South Shore Baptist Church and volunteered tirelessly in many capacities, including the choir, teaching Sunday school and serving the very youngest to the oldest members of the congregation. She had a tenacious work ethic and will be remembered by all for her kind, gentle, and loving spirit. 

Beloved wife of the late John T. Barker and the late Edward J. Coleran.  Loving mother of Jan Sullivan and her husband Paul of Kingston, Karen Crowley and her husband John of Duxbury, Pam Johnson and her husband Jeff of Hingham, and John Barker and his wife Pam of Needham.  Sister of Barbara Walsh of VA, and the late Melvin Walsh and his wife Josephine.  “Gramma” to Tiffany, Kim, Matthew, Melissa, Micaela, Andrew, Kelsey, Colby, Erin, Maeve, and Thomas; and “Gramma the Great” to Elle, Brianna, Olivia, Shea, and Neve.  Stepmother of Patricia Coleran, the late Robert Coleran, Edward Coleran and grandmother to all his children.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday 4-8 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), Hingham.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday at 10:30am in South Shore Baptist Church, 578 Main Street, Hingham, MA.  Burial in High Street Cemetery, Hingham.  

Donations in memory of Jean may be made to Alzheimers Assn., using the following link http://bit.ly/2fKiqSw.