Barbara Jean Hoag

Barbara Jean Hoag, a lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, age 77, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 7, 2017.  Barbara is now reunited in heaven with her high school sweet heart, the late Jerry Dale Hoag.  They shared 46 fun-filled beautiful years of marriage together.  She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and pursued a lifelong passion for higher education.  Her early employment started at the Blandford Nature Center as a naturalist educator.  Her time there sparked a passion for preserving our environment.  This led her to serve in several different roles such as serving on the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Frederick Meijer Gardens, Millennium Park, Camp Kidwell to name a few. She was the owner of her own consulting and fundraising firm specializing in preserving our land and water.  As a young woman in the 70’s she also was a pioneer for woman in politics, serving as a city commissioner for East Grand Rapids.  Her true joy came from family. She enjoyed each and every holiday, vacationing in Hawaii, but also enjoying one on one time with each of them.  She is survived by her sister Margaret (Robert) Cooper, her children Bradley (Margaret) Hoag, Todd Hoag and Laurel (Steven) Evert.  She was blessed with 9 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandson.

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