Barbara Lyons Jansen

She was born in Auburn, AL on August 16, 1948, to the late William H. (Buster) and Mary Ella Lyons, an engineer, and a homemaker. She lived in Marietta, GA until the age of 5, when the family moved to Jacksonville, FL and made it their lifelong home. Growing up she was an active member of Swaim Memorial United Methodist Church in San Marco. Barbara graduated from Samuel Wolfson High School in 1966 and went on to Auburn University where she graduated with a degree in Education. She worked for Ketchum Associates Inc. as an Office Manager for 23 years. She then worked for Family Foundations, a nonprofit organization, as an Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, for 15 years of service.

In her earlier years, Barbara was very active; she enjoyed swimming, tetherball, tennis and as she grew older, enjoyed boating and water skiing. Her father owned a cabin in the NC mountains where she learned to snow ski. Making annual trips in the winter to the cabin was something Barbara enjoyed doing with her children and family. As a homeowner, Barbara loved to work in her yard and flower beds; she was even mowing her own yard up until her cancer diagnosis at the age of 70. In her later years, Barbara would make regular trips to the NC mountains with friends; she loved those friends and cherished those annual trips. Barbara also loved getting together with special friends for lunch, going to the movies, and seeing a show at the Alhambra. She also loved to garage sale, usually every Saturday morning she was up and out the door in search of her fun finds.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Mary Ella Lyons, and her former spouse and father of her children, Jeffrey L. Jansen. Barbara is survived by her two children, Clifton (Cliff) Jansen (Amanda) and Kristin Wiley (Trey) of Jacksonville, FL. Grandchildren Hayden and Nathan Jansen, and Brooklyn and Jansen Wiley. Two sisters, Elizabeth Lyons and Rebecca Moseley (John), and niece and nephew Erin and Tanner Moseley.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 12 pm, at The Episcopal Church of our Saviour, 12236 Mandarin Road, #1813, Jacksonville FL 32223. Reception to follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, ccalliance.org.