Barbara Jean Linan's Obituary
Barbara Jean Linan (Taylor) lovingly called Barbie by those close. Was born December 10, 1954 to Irene (Kessel) and Lawrence Taylor. Barbie had four older brothers Lee, Ronnie, Carl, and Walter. It’s been said that Barbie could do no wrong in Irene’s eyes and they maintained a close relationship up until Irene passed after her fight with cancer. Barbie became her primary care giver while she was sick and helped her accomplish one of her dreams of visiting family in Arkansas before she departed. Barbie and her family lived in Sycamore IL while she was younger and moved to California in 1966. Barbie is remember by her nieces and nephews as loving, attentive, and kind. She had a talent for caregiving and making others feel loved and special. She had a wide range of other talents and found passion in all she tried to do. Even opening her own pet shop and owning a pet monkey! Barbie was preceded in death by her first husband whom she married in 1981 and he died shortly thereafter. Sometime after she started her life long adventure with Joe Gilbert Linan. Barbie and Joe married November 14, 1987 and had their first of three children soon ater in 1988. Barbies children and family were her world and she found room to be a mother to not only her own children but also helped babysit for her sisterinlaw and others as well. Often using the “it takes a village” approach to save both homes on daycare costs. You could always find someones baby in Barbies home. Barbie was diagnosed early in life with Multiple Sclerosis which presented many hardships and eventually led to her permanently being wheelchair bound. However this did not stop her from doing all she could with and for her husband and kids until she physically could not. Her friends and children can remember her cooking and doing activities at the counter with her chair present, and always finding ways to participate. Despite being faced with many hardships in life Barbie conquered all odds and lived well beyond her life expectancy. Barbie and Joe had a long happy relationship and up until Joe passed away in 2021 after a fight with covid related complications. And even after she was moved over to a Nursing Facility Joe could be found day to day taking care of Barbies needs and spending quality time with her. Barbie was head over heels in love the day her first grandbaby came into the world. She was always happy to be Grandma and had so much pride in each or her grandbabies. Always offering them rides on her chair and spoiling them with toys and candies, shushing Moms concerns. She would never deny a visit from her Babies. Always doing her best to help see hem sheltered and succeed. Barbie is survived by 5 children Jesse Linan, (Desirae Ayala), Jennifer Rawlision (Hyrum Rawlison), Steve Linan, Kimberly Averett, Adrian Davenport (formaly Linan). Her brother and sister in law Rhonda and Jesse Linan. 12 Grandchildren and many nieces/nephews/etc. She will be greatly missed by those whom she loved and loved her.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her long time friend Tom Monk for being by her side almost daily. Helping provide for some of her need when others could not. And being a true example of love in friendship. His support was immensely helpful, and cannot be replaced.
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