Death of Dr. Barbara DeHaven, former missionary to India
Dr. Barbara Hoskin DeHaven
1929 – 2010
Global Ministries is saddened to share the news that Dr. Barbara Hoskin DeHaven died on Thursday, October 21, 2010. Barbara was born August 14, 1929, in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Hiram College in 1951 and from the Medical College of Virginia in 1956.
Commissioned as missionaries by the United Christian Missionary Society of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in June 1958, Dr. DeHaven and her husband, E. Thomas DeHaven, served interim periods at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, near St. Marc, Haiti, while awaiting visas for entrance into India. In October 1959, the DeHavens were sent to India where Barbara worked on the medical staff of Jackman Memorial Hospital in Bilaspur; Tom DeHaven, served in administrative phases of the work of the hospital.
On returning home in 1965, the family resettled in Kentucky where Barbara DeHaven served as public health officer for the Carroll County Public Health Department. Later she helped develop the Three Rivers District Health Department in Kentucky and continue as its medical director. After moving to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1982, she became medical director for Planned Parenthood of Central Iowa. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Iowa in 1991. Barbara then combined her love of research and life-long learning with her medical background to become the first-ever medical librarian at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.
Barb was a member of First Christian Church, Des Moines. She is survived by two children, Steve and Cathy, and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, in 2007; son, Matt; her parents and brothers.
A memorial service was held Friday, October 29, at First Christian Church in Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 2500 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311 or to Global Ministries for Jackman Memorial Hospital in India, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986. Messages of condolence may be sent to Barbara’s daughter, Cathy Swanson, 1717 Winston Drive, Iowa City, IA 52245-6047.