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Sara Barru
In Memory of
Sara Jane
Barru
1923 - 2018
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Life Story for Sara Jane Barru

Sara Jane  Barru
Sara Jane Barru
July 8, 1923 — December 22, 2018

Sara Jane Barru (née James) passed away in Highlands Ranch, CO on December 22, 2018 at age 95.

A tremendously kind and thoughtful person, Jane was an advocate for social justice and marginalized communities throughout her life. She greatly valued other cultures and perspectives, as reflected in her passion for travel, love for the arts, and the causes she supported.

Pennsylvania was home for the early part of Jane’s life. She was born in Johnstown on July 8, 1923, the second daughter of Enoch Addison “Add” James and Cora James (née Davis), and grew up in the adjacent town of Dale Borough. After graduating as valedictorian of her class at Dale High School in 1941, Jane continued her education at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, where she earned a B.S. in science and nutrition.

She completed her coursework a semester in advance, graduating early to start the next chapter of her life with Albert Theron “Ted” Baldwin, a fellow student at the college. They were married on February 10, 1945 in Johnstown and soon moved to the Philadelphia suburbs. There, Jane worked for the Philadelphia Electric Company, developing and demonstrating recipes for electric ovens, a novelty at the time.

The couple moved around the East Coast frequently between 1946 and 1954 before settling in Scarsdale, NY to raise their son, Jeffrey T. Baldwin, and two daughters, Deborah J. Baldwin and Lisa J. Tilley (née Baldwin). While in Scarsdale, Jane was very involved in her local community: among other things, she volunteered as Cub Scout Den Mother, was a leader in the League of Women Voters, served as vice president of the local junior high school’s dance lessons (notable for its openness to youths of all faiths and backgrounds) and President of the PTA. In addition, she was an active member of the Scarsdale Congregational Church (UCC).

In 1968 Jane once again became a full-time student, this time pursuing a Master of Science degree in nutrition at Columbia University Teachers College in New York City, while still managing a household in Scarsdale. Among her field placements were Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, where she taught nutrition to student nurses, and Roosevelt Hospital, where she was active in outreach and nutrition education for the surrounding Puerto Rican community.

Following her graduation, she worked at the American Health Foundation, which promoted advanced research into nutritional and tobacco use issues. After her first marriage ended, Jane subsequently met and married Paul S. Barru, with whom she would spend the next 41 years. Together they moved to Colorado — first to Littleton, then west to Grand Junction, where Jane worked as a dietician for St. Mary’s Hospital and as an inspector of nursing home conditions. During this time, she also did work for Barru Homes, Inc., Paul’s home building company, which led to their spending 1983 in Washington, D.C. when Paul was involved with builder financing for the National Association of Home Builders.

After their year in the capital, Jane and Paul returned to Littleton. Undeniably, Jane and Paul’s greatest joy during this time was taking care of and spending time with their young grandchildren. Eventually they moved to Cherry Creek, before finally settling in Highlands Ranch. Throughout her final years, Jane was involved with the United Nations support organization, frequently giving lectures to various audiences. In their free time, Jane and Paul traveled extensively across the globe — through Mexico and South America, across Europe, into Russia, China, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand (to name just a few of their favorite trips). They often took family members along during their journeys that brought them to every continent — Antarctica included.

Jane is survived by her 3 adult children: Jeffrey Baldwin (Ellen), Deborah Baldwin (Craig), and Lisa Tilley (Rod); 4 stepsons: Steve Barru, Hank Barru, Phil Barru (Jennifer), and David Barru (Maritza); 3 grandchildren: Natalie Tilley, Sean Baldwin-Stevenson, and Nicole Tilley; 2 step-grandchildren: Melissa Barru and Matthew Barru; 2 step-grandsons: Robert Flavell and Steven Flavell; 2 nephews: Richard Horton and Roger Horton; and 3 grandnephews/nieces: Evan Horton, Natalie Horton, and Matthew Horton. Jane is predeceased by her husband, Paul Barru (age 88); older sister, Phyllis Horton (née James) (age 43); and younger brother, Richard James (age 3). A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00 am at Wind Crest Retirement Community, Highline Overlook, Red Rocks room (2975 Summer Wind Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO, 80129).

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorial donations be made to Rocky Mountain

PBS:
https://rmpm.secure.force.com/support/rmpbs/donate

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