I just became acquainted with Barbara at our 40th reunion. We got together for lunch with some other classmates for a year or two afterwards. Haven't heard about her until now. I'm sorry to hear about this. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the circumstances.
Barbara's short obituary said that she passed away on Sept. 22, 2015 at age 67 and that her services were private: "Barbara J. Speers, 67, Kansas City, MO passed away Sept. 22, 2015. Cremation with private service. Burial In Memorial Park Cemetery. Arr. Park Lawn Funeral Home. KC Star Sept 27, 2015."
Although Barbara's passing saddens me, it leaves me with joyful memories of having known her. Throughout elementary school at Border Star, high school at Southwest, her life long career with the Missouri Division of Employment, her retirement, Barbara remained a true and loyal friend.
During recesses at Border Star, Barbara and I would exchange stories. I marveled at her expertise about movies stars. Her favorites were Sandra Dee and Bobby Darren. She delighted in her pet dogs, GiGi--a huge standard poodle-- and Princess--a tiny pug. Barbara had real moxie, which I admired. She was the first girl to wear lipstick to grade school and get by with it, which I believe occurred in the 6th grade, Mrs. Holbrook's classroom.
After high school, our paths crossed occasionally. Whenever we ran into each other, Barbara always had oodles of news about SW High School grads. At our 2006 reunion and the luncheons that Carol Perry set up, Barbara displayed her encyclopedic knowledge on the comings and goings of all our classmates about whom she cared deeply. She was grieved over Chris Manning's death, several weeks after Chris had attended our 2006 reunion.
As adults Barbara and her younger sister Allison continued to live together in their family home in Brookside. I recently came across that address and will reach out to Allison. I know that Barbara had cardiac issues, and that treatment of her heart condition caused the onset of diabetes.
Thank you for posting the info about Barbara. I, too, remember those days at Border Star. So many of our classmates are gone now...good to hear stories. My travels around the country kept me from staying in much contact...looking forward to the 50th to catch up with all.
Janelle, thank you for sharing. I remember Barbara from some classes at Southwest. It 's so nice to hear some stories as we remember our classmates from our formative years
Barbara was one of the people I most thrilled at encountering at the 30th reunion. Emotion felt on seeing someone this way is unpredictable, mine taking me by surprise. She had been the free spirit that acts without editing life to death, awesome to one whose control gauge often rests a tad high. Blessings on her, wherever she is.
Carol Perry Davis
I just became acquainted with Barbara at our 40th reunion. We got together for lunch with some other classmates for a year or two afterwards. Haven't heard about her until now. I'm sorry to hear about this. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the circumstances.
Carol Perry Davis
Susan Gramms (Walker)
Janelle Jennings sent her obit but somehow I wasn't able to add it to the site. I'll try to cut and paste and maybe you can contact Janelle.
Janelle Jennings (Drummond)
Barbara's short obituary said that she passed away on Sept. 22, 2015 at age 67 and that her services were private: "Barbara J. Speers, 67, Kansas City, MO passed away Sept. 22, 2015. Cremation with private service. Burial In Memorial Park Cemetery. Arr. Park Lawn Funeral Home. KC Star Sept 27, 2015."
Although Barbara's passing saddens me, it leaves me with joyful memories of having known her. Throughout elementary school at Border Star, high school at Southwest, her life long career with the Missouri Division of Employment, her retirement, Barbara remained a true and loyal friend.
During recesses at Border Star, Barbara and I would exchange stories. I marveled at her expertise about movies stars. Her favorites were Sandra Dee and Bobby Darren. She delighted in her pet dogs, GiGi--a huge standard poodle-- and Princess--a tiny pug. Barbara had real moxie, which I admired. She was the first girl to wear lipstick to grade school and get by with it, which I believe occurred in the 6th grade, Mrs. Holbrook's classroom.
After high school, our paths crossed occasionally. Whenever we ran into each other, Barbara always had oodles of news about SW High School grads. At our 2006 reunion and the luncheons that Carol Perry set up, Barbara displayed her encyclopedic knowledge on the comings and goings of all our classmates about whom she cared deeply. She was grieved over Chris Manning's death, several weeks after Chris had attended our 2006 reunion.
As adults Barbara and her younger sister Allison continued to live together in their family home in Brookside. I recently came across that address and will reach out to Allison. I know that Barbara had cardiac issues, and that treatment of her heart condition caused the onset of diabetes.
Bob May
Thank you for posting the info about Barbara. I, too, remember those days at Border Star. So many of our classmates are gone now...good to hear stories. My travels around the country kept me from staying in much contact...looking forward to the 50th to catch up with all.
Bill Cater
Janelle, thank you for sharing. I remember Barbara from some classes at Southwest. It 's so nice to hear some stories as we remember our classmates from our formative years
Jeanine Brown
Barbara was one of the people I most thrilled at encountering at the 30th reunion. Emotion felt on seeing someone this way is unpredictable, mine taking me by surprise. She had been the free spirit that acts without editing life to death, awesome to one whose control gauge often rests a tad high. Blessings on her, wherever she is.