Barbara A. Radcliffe

Barbara Ann (Johnson) Radcliffe

“Barbie"

1957 ~ 2016

Her soul soared triumphantly onward, like a bird set free of its cage.

In the early morning hours of September 4, 2016, Barbie's soul broke free of the constraints of her body to seek a better place.  She fought her battle with utmost determination, courage and passion right to the end, with the love of her family surrounding her.

She enjoyed her Sunday church and lunch outings with her brother-in-law, Richard Parker.  A week prior to her departure we gathered together as family and friends to celebrate her 59th birthday, (August 29, 1957) at South Shore beach with a potluck lunch.  She especially enjoyed herself that day.

Barbie considered herself a creative cook and always enjoyed preparing nice meals and was happy to share them with her family and many friends.  There were many times that she would bring a group of friends home after working a late night at Woody's in Northport to enjoy a delicious breakfast and friendship.  Being a food critic, she also enjoyed telling you how you could improve on your recipes.  Foremost and above all, family was most important to her, always a mother, looking out for the needs of others and lending a hand when she could.

Every spring you could count on Barbie heading to the woods in search of the elusive Morel mushroom.  With her keen eye and uncanny ability to find them, she was bestowed the title "Queen of Morels" among many of her friends and family.  She would always report back with how many she had found, keeping a running tally for the season.  Of course, whenever we asked her where she found them all, we were given an answer "In the woods."  Her secret will be forever safe with her.

Barbie discovered her artistic talents from a very young age.  She was inspired to create by her love of nature and her adventures walking in the woods and on the beach with her dog Mercedes.  She held Good Harbor beach as a special place in her heart, enjoying many sunsets there.  As a self-taught painter, she painted many beautiful pictures and created many beautiful things.  She was a person who could do a lot with a little.

Barbie was preceded in death by her parents, Donald L. and Verna A. (Wichern) Johnson and her infant son, Jobidiah Spencer-Miles.  She is survived by her longtime companion and best friend, John Lorenz; her daughter, Jacquie (Bill) Bodine; her siblings, Rhoda (Fred Peplinski) Johnson, Martin Johnson, Sue (Javier) Favela, Eleanor (Dale Korson) Johnson, Cheryl (Richard) Parker, and Paul (Gaylene) Whiteford, all living in the area.  She is the niece of Charlene Barnes and Laura Steffens Johnson and the proud and loving aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Suttons Bay, on Friday, September 16, 2016, with the funeral service at 3 p.m.  A potluck luncheon will follow.  Celebrating a true lifelong daughter of Leelanau, interment will be at 6 p.m. at Swedish Mission Cemetery in Good Harbor, MI, followed by a gathering to view the sunset at Good Harbor beach.  Everyone is welcome to join us in all or part of the celebrations.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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