I grew up with Barb and Jimmy and had recently begun searching for all my childhood friends.  I was devastated when I discovered Barb's obituary, I waited too long.  I would like to share some of my memories for the family to get to know her as I did.  I remember playing in the empty lot that would soon be Barb and Jimmy's home.  We were pretty young, probably I was about 4 or 5 years old at the time.  I was so excited when I found out there was a girl moving into that house, a new playmate for me!  We all became very close friends, Barb, Jimmy, Andy, me Kathy and Frankie just to name a few, and there were a few more kids on the block and surrounding area.  We were very lucky. 

 Sometime late grammar school Barb and I decided that we had to distinguish ourselves since we had the same name.  She became Barbi with an "i" and I became Barby "with a y".  Seeing she still uses that i, brought back a flood of memories.  We would all gather in my basement and play card games, we loved playing "monster" (our version of hide and seek) using the whole block and hiding in the tall grasses on the hill going up to the railroad tracks.  I remember one time Barb came home from seeing her mom, with a cast on her foot and a bandage on her hand.  She was being typical Barb, climbing a tree and accidently grabbed a live wire.  We would climb my backyard apple tree a lot, and actually brought our barbie dolls up into the tree, but it was wire free. 

 When she went to prom, she called me over to come and see her dress.  she was 2 school years ahead of me so I was very excited about her prom!  It was a beautiful white dress; her hair was all done up on top of her head.  She was absolutely stunning! I can still remember being in her living room while she did a pirouette!  LOL  A far cry from drying her hair in front of the open stove! 

Time went on, Barb got married. I remember Jay and Lisa playing in the living room while Barb and I visited.    Life went on for both of us, me going to school, Barb enjoying her children and husband.  Time and circumstances separated us and eventually distance.  Of course I wish we had stayed in contact, but I'm sure we both would occasionally remember our years together.  Barb and I shared friendship rings back in early high school days, which was our way of maintaining our friendship over the distance when she had to go to Kansas or Texas to stay with her mom.  

Frank contacted me and it was absolutely wonderful to talk with him, he got Barb's phone number for me and I called her on the phone and it was as if the years just melted away, I discovered we both still had our friendship rings.  I will miss not being able to connect again, but I know she had a wonderful family around her.  I want to extend my condolences to the whole family, Jimmy, Jay, Michelle and all the grand children, nieces and nephews.  

So sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.

I never knew Ms. Todd, but I can tell you that if she was anything like Michelle, she must have been an incredible woman.  I've know Michelle for a few work years and she has always put family and others first.  

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I don't have just tons of memories lol but I do have alot. I was younger when I used to stay over with my aunt Barbra.  I remember very vivid tho always getting to sit and watch Alice in wonderland with my cousin melony, and she would make us pot pies and Pepsi. And we would go swim in the back yard and jump on the trampoline all the time. To me these memories are so sweet and left me feeling so loved. I also remember she would make me tickets to check out movies from her collection to borrow and watch . 🥰 it was always fun and love. I wish I could have seen or spoke to her more befor now. But I will always hold tight to when I I did ,no matter how long ago it was.