Barbara Wesley Bean

Barbara Wesley Wadlow Bean passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 18. Barbara was born May 3, 1936, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Thomas and Lillian Wadlow. She was the youngest of four sisters, and moved to California at age 6. She grew up in Los Angeles and San Diego, later moving to the Bay Area, where she graduated from Berkeley High School. Barbara then attended UC Davis, where she was a song-leader, a sorority sister, in the womens chorale group, and a proud Aggy; she finished her studies with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from San Diego State University. She met Richard Dick Bean, a naval officer from Seattle, when both were in the wedding party for mutual friends. They were married in 1960 and moved to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. They soon moved to Seattles Broadview neighborhood, where they raised their four children. After moving frequently in early life, Barbara wanted stability for her children; Broadview was their home for 40 years. She served in Girls Scouts leadership, as a frequent classroom volunteer and room mom, as the family chauffeur, and as keeper of the family pets, including dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, turtles, fish and birds. She packed up the kids and pets for yearly summer trips to Vashon Island. Barbara also served in the Katherine B. Friele Circle of the Seattle Milk Fund, and attended St Lukes Episcopal Church in Ballard. Barb and Dick joined a Gourmet Dinner group, and continued to enjoy the friendships made there through their life together. Barb and Dick traveled to Hawaii and the East Coast on business, to California to see family, and to Lake Tahoe for reunions with UC Davis friends. They also traveled to England, France, Sweden and Poland. They cruised to Alaska several times, celebrating their 50th anniversary with the whole family on one trip. Barb and Dick later moved to Edmonds, Washington, where they enjoyed the view of Puget Sound. At home, Barb enjoyed bridge groups, was a crossword puzzle whiz, and an avid reader of books, magazines, and newspapers. She loved to have all her family gathered together, playing board games and sharing memories. Barbaras family would like to thank the team at Serenity Heights for providing a loving and safe environment during Barbaras last months. Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Dick Bean; her children Tom (Coleen) Bean, Greg (Karla) Bean, Katie (Kevin) Kutcel, and Sara (Kathy Unser) Bean; her sister Jane Jackson; grandchildren Megan Bean, Erin Bean, Allison Bean, Heather Bean, Ken Kutcel, Kurt Kutcel and Kayla Kutcel. She was preceded in death by her sisters Liz and Mary. Barbara was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be lovingly remembered and missed.