Barbara Jean (Benson) Haines

Barbara Jean Haines, 82 of Spokane, WA, passed away in Spokane, Washington on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, surrounded by family and friends.  She was born on January 28, 1935, in Nampa, Idaho. She was a long time resident of Pendleton and Hermiston, Oregon before spending time in Portland, Oregon and Spokane, Washington to be near her children.

Barbara was raised by her parents, George and Callie (Perkins) Benson in Marsing, Idaho where she attended high school. She and Jerry lived in Jordan Valley, Oregon before moving to Pendleton and Hermiston, Oregon where they spent the majority of their adult lives raising their two children. Barbara was a devout member of Our Lady of Angel’s and St. Mary’s Catholic Churches.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Franklin Haines, on April 3, 1991, in Portland, Oregon at age 58. Jerry and Barbara were married on December 22, 1951, in Kamiah, Idaho. Jerry was the love of Barbara’s life, and their marriage was commonly described as a “storybook relationship.”  Frequently, people expressed a desire to have a lasting and loving marriage like Barbara and Jerry. 

Barbara was a dedicated and skilled administrative assistant who worked long periods at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, and finished her career at the Hermiston School District before retiring. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her humor, loyalty, unconditional love, and zest for life and family was enjoyed by all who worked with her or spent time with her. The best times of her life were spent surrounded by family and friends, and the Haines home was frequently the place where everyone gathered for food and laughter. 

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Michele “Micki” Stanhope of Spokane, and her son, Michael Haines of Portland and Kahana, Maui; three grand daughters: Lindsay and Courtney of Spokane and Eryn of Camas, WA.; five great grandchildren: Cade, Kellen and Sosie Jane Washington of Camas, and Katelyn Ebersole and Jerry Paul of Spokane. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to the Ronald McDonald House of Charity, 1015 West 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99204 or www.rmhcinlandnw.org

A graveside blessing and committal service will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. at the Hermiston Cemetery.

A graveside memorial is pending for April of 2018, for those friends and family who are unable to travel due to winter weather. A service notice with day and time will run in the EO and will be updated at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com or by family members.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

 Service Information