Barbara Chesney Jorn, 90, died peacefully November 25, 2019 at Berkshire Place, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her long illness with dementia and the health restrictions of COVID separated her from family and friends, but at last, she can greet her beloved husband, Glenn Lewis Jorn. The memory of Barbara lives on in her family: her three children Todd Chesney Jorn, Amy Jorn Satterfield and husband Jim and Ann Catherine Kronick and husband Charles, granddaughters Chesney, Alexandra and Eliza Jorn grandsons Andrew Satterfield and wife Allie and daughter Lyla and grandson Charles Satterfield. Barbara also leaves her dear sister Mrs. Morris Embleton (Mary) and her family. All remember her with love.
Barbara was predeceased by her Mother Myrtle Alice (Stoddard) Chesney of Norton, Kansas, and father Linton White Chesney of St. Joseph, Missouri. When Barbara was young, the family moved from St. Joseph to Great Falls, Montana, where she learned to love the Big Sky country. She attended Montana State University and while there, met the love of her life, Glenn Jorn. After graduating in 1951 with a BA in Graphic Advertising, she and Glenn married and began their life together. The early years saw many moves beginning with Seattle, Washington, where Todd and Amy were born. Ann joined the family in Cleveland, Ohio, and eventually they all moved to Dalton, Massachusetts.
Barbara was a substitute high school teacher, taught fashion design to adults, was a board member of the Berkshire Art Association and two-time president of that organization, which had over 1,000 members. She was honored to meet and work with many fine artists including the great Norman Rockwell. It was simply impossible for her and Glenn to go on any any trip without picking up a new “little something” to hang on the wall.
In addition to the world of art, Barbara had a great passion for fashion design and sewing. A truly gifted, expert seamstress, she owned her own sportswear line for several years. Her great appreciation of beautiful fabric led to a lifetime of collecting. To say that she loved fabric and fashion was a gross understatement. As her patient husband Glenn could attest to, saying that when “we were out driving around, she could spot a fabric store with a sign the size of a business card.” She had a sign on her sewing room door which read “The woman who dies with the most fabric wins!” She totally won! In fact, on a business trip with Glenn to Sweden, she bought a beautiful handmade fabric which she could never bear to cut. It is now in the permanent collection of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Library of Fashion Design.
All of Barbara’s family recognized her extraordinary gifts. She was brilliant and read avidly throughout her life. She was Google for all her children long before the internet. The depth and diversity of her knowledge and insight was remarkable. Barbara was proud to be a Daughter of The American Revolution and descendant of Susanna White, passenger on the Mayflower, and territorial Governor of Montana Sidney Edgerton. She truly enjoyed her life in the beautiful Berkshires. She was a deeply loving wife and friend. She was a devoted mother, especially in the care of her youngest daughter who suffered a chronic illness. Always an optimist, a deep appreciator of the beauty of life and an advocate for playing the hand one was dealt. Barb, Mom we miss you.
