Meilinger, Barbara H.

(nee Helm) 75, of West Chicago. Beloved wife of Phillip for 20 years; loving mother of Dianna (Rodney) Ritter and the late Marc and Wayne Gianneschi; step-mother of Phillip S. Jr. (Monica) Meilinger and Erin and Rebecca Meilinger; proud grandmother of Nicholas (Hayley) Ritter, Rachael (Daniel Guiney) Ritter and Emma and Mason Meilinger; dear daughter of the late Paul and Adele Helm; sister of Patricia Helm and the late Judith Helm; aunt of Rebecca Thomas.

Barbara Helm Meilinger was raised in Elmhurst and attended York HS; she then received her BA and Masters at Northern Illinois University in counseling. She taught the deaf in Monmouth, Oregon, before moving into the administrative side of higher education. Her career was brilliant, and she became the Director of School and College Relations at UIC and then Dean of Enrollment Management at Roosevelt University. She moved to upstate New York and occupied the same position at a chiropractic college, and soon after she changed my life.

We met, fell immediately in love, and married. She retired from her career, but took on the more arduous chore of looking after me. We became entwined with each other’s families and friends, which broadened our lives. I’ve been amazed at how much we instinctively loved and were loved by each other’s circle. After living two years in Newport, RI, we moved to Northern Virginia for six years. When Barbara’s mother suffered a stroke, we returned to the Chicago area and have remained. Heart problems and Alzheimer’s cut short our travels and entertaining—oh the places we’ve been and the things we’ve seen—but Barbara remained the sweetest and gentlest woman I have ever known. She was the ideal partner, as well as daughter, sister, mom, grandmother and friend. Everyone loved her. We were together for 20 years, 2 months and 9 nine days. I can’t tell you how much she will be missed.

Memorial Service 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Williams-Woodward Funeral, 820 Pine St., West Chicago. In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be appreciated for the Alzheimer’s Association, 8430 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago, IL 60631. Funeral info 630-668-0016 or www.williamskampp.com