Jean Fallan Barrett died peacefully at home on January 12 following a brief illness. Born in Helena on April 1, 1925, she lived most of her life in Helena and was involved in a number of charitable and civic activities. Depending on where and when you met her, you may have known her as Myrtle Jean, Kootch, Kootchie or Jean. She answered cheerfully to all of them.
She married Edmund Fallan of Wilsall in 1945; he died in 1975. In 1984, she married William J. Barrett of Augusta, who died in 2010. Jean had a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Oregon State University and also attended Montana State University and Carroll College.
Some of her civic activities: Board of Directors of Norwest Bank (now Wells Fargo), where she was also the first woman elected to the board; United Way campaign chairman and board chairman; YMCA Board and Foundation Board; St. Peter’s Hospital Board and Foundation Board. She was a charter trustee of the hospital foundation board and established the United Way endowment program.
She was an aide to the Montana Legislature for nearly 40 years. In 1992, she was elected to head the Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission, a five-member panel that spent a year drawing new state House and Senate districts to reflect changes in the 1990 census.
In addition to her leadership roles at St. Peter’s Hospital, she was a dedicated volunteer and in 2001, was honored for 26 years as a volunteer, making lab deliveries, escorting patients and working at the front desk. She knitted caps for newborns and was working on one when she died. Jean had been a Girl Scout leader and taught swimming lessons, including special education classes. Recently, she volunteered every week at the Montana State Library.
She was a life-long member of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Jean was a 60-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, an international women’s philanthropic and educational organization. She was a charter member of P.E.O. Chapter AY, Helena. She was active in the Daughters of the Nile in Augusta during her marriage to Bill Barrett. She also belonged to several bridge groups and book clubs.
Throughout her life, she sewed, knitted and did needlepoint. When she took up quilting, she made numerous “Quilts for Comfort” through the Helena Quilters’ Guild.
In her later years, Jean traveled extensively, especially with Friendship Force and Elderhostel. She even went to Greece with her exercise class.
Survivors include her three daughters: Janelle (Ken Dunham), Folsom, California; Holly (Jim Johnson), Seattle, and Jorrun (Jed Liston), Missoula; grandchildren John Dunham (Jennifer), Vancouver, Washington; Torhil Ramsay (Todd), Bellingham, Washington; Erik Johnson, Seattle; Chauncey, Katrina and Bridger Liston, Missoula; and great-grandchildren Mahle and Gordon Dunham and Hayden Ramsay. She is also survived by the Barrett children: Ed and Mary, Helena; Dave and Jackie and Joe and Maggie, Augusta, and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both husbands and a grandson, Nikolas Johnson of Seattle.
A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23 at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 511 N. Park, followed by a reception at the church. Jean will be laid to rest next to Ed, at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, or to the United Way of Lewis and Clark County, 75 E Lyndale Ave, Helena, MT 59601.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jean.
Doris Romanisko says
If you looked up the words lady, genteel, gracious, intelligent and generous, you would find the photo of Jean Fallan Barrett, or at least you should. She was beyond kind to not only friends, but also to total strangers. She will be missed by so many. Our hearts are sad for her family’s loss, but find joy in the ways that she continues her mission to help others, and the memories she has left us with to treasure.
St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation – Board and Staff
Terry Bass says
A very nice lady always. May she rest in Peace. God bless her family.
Dr. Nancy Aagenes says
I worked with Jean for the Montana State Senate in a year (1977) when it was evenly divided between Rs and Ds. The Rs picked Jean and the Ds picked me to provide staff leadership. We managed about 45 employees, had daily conferences about rules, bill scheduling and other matters. Without ever a single glitch. We worked hand it glove to make the place run smoothly for the benefit of the Senators and all of Montana. It was a privilege and pleasure everyday. We have stayed friends through all the years. She was a great person.
We talked a lot about our kids too and I know how dearly she loved her family.
Wanda Metzinger White says
As a young RN, fresh out of school, I will always remember Jean Fallon Barrett as I started my first professional position at St. Peter’s. To me–she was St. Peter’s! Always so kind to all–staff and patients and patients families. So soft-spoken and generous to a fault. She embodied love for her family–you always knew they were #1 in her life. Fly free and far, Jean Fallon Barrett! Our Lord is welcoming you home. RIP
Linda Peterson says
I Loved visiting at guild meetings with Jean. Jean was always so kind and sweet. She would make Quilts for Comfort, then she would call me, and I would go to Touchmark to pick them up, bring them home to quilt them as my contribution, then return them to her to give to a needy person. I will miss her.
Susan Good Geise says
Ms. Barrett’s work as Chair of the 1992 Reapportionment Commission was incredible: honest, equitable and balanced. A very tough job that she guided with grace and intelligence. I feel lucky to have known her.
Ellie Arguimbau says
I first got to know Jean when we shared a cabin on a bike and barge trip to Belgium and Holland, when Jean was about 81 or 82. I thoroughly enjoyed her company. She alternated days of bicycling and days riding on the barge. She also really enjoyed our walks around picturesque towns. In more recent years we enjoyed attending the Metropolitan Opera live broadcasts at the theater. When I read her obituary, I was stunned by the wide extent of her civic involvements. She never made a big deal about it.
Hugh McWhortet says
I have a tendency to react to people based upon how they treat my special daughter Caroline. Jean entrusted Caroline with the key to her house and fairly compensated Caroline for bring in her mail during Jean’s worldly travels. Caroline always received a birthday card from Jean. Jean treated Caroline with dignity and respect. In my mind this made Jean a lady of class, significant class.
Louis Miles says
I was happy to have met this classy lady!
Barbara Botz Squeri says
I volunteered with Jean at St. Peter’s Hospital and also played bridge with her. Always had a fun time and she was a joy to be around. May you be at peace with The Lord and thank you for your friendship over the years.
Loretta Thomason says
Jean was one of the loveliest and most gracious women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I will always remember her with warmth and love.
Mary Runkel says
Jean was just lovely always. Many years ago I was rushing to quilt guild, between my daughters activities. Jean was gracious and loving and said -” come to quilt guild when you can, there will be years when they are gone from home and you can participate.” Wise words that I have never forgotten. I reminded her of her wisdom and support when we last chatted, and of course she did not even remember her wise counsel. When she looked at you with those wonderful twinkly eyes you were the only person in the room!
Cathy Ward says
Jean was United Way of L&C County’s first female campaign chair and first female board chair in the 70’s. She was well organized, always had her yellow pad with her “to do” list that we would review and check off. I learned so much from her…she was strong but calm, determined but patient. We continued our friendship through the years and I loved our visits. We talked last summer at the Memorial Park Concert when she exclaimed, “I turned 90 this year…can you believe it”! She lived a loving and purposeful life and I feel blessed to have known her.
John Etchart says
Jean was classy in the extreme. I knew her just a little bit
over a long time. Sweet, bright, graceful and always
taken up with the most constructive things.
Very best wishes to Jean’s family.
Desera Towle says
Kootch, was so kind to my mother, Norine Towle after the death of her husband Prescott Towle in 1955. She and other westside kids befriended my mom for many years. I remember the green flag waving above the pool, saying it was ok to stop and swim. Thank you for being my mom’s friend. Desera Towle