BOBBI JO KIRLIN
1944-2017
Barbara Jo “Bobbi” Kirlin November 14, 1944 July 31, 2017 Bobbi Kirlin passed away Monday, July 31, 2017, in Houston, Texas following a courageous and hard-fought seven-year battle with lung cancer. Bobbi was a serial entrepreneur, savvy real estate investor, generous volunteer for many charities and art initiatives, and a kind and beloved friend to so many.
Bobbi was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Marian Gorman Kirlin and Dale T. Kirlin, Sr., who both predeceased her. She grew up in Quincy, Illinois where her family owned and operated Kirlin’s candy and card stores, eventually the most successful Hallmark franchises in the U.S. Bobbi graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School, then went on to Oklahoma University, graduating with a degree psychology.
Her next adventure was flying the unfriendly skies, enjoying her life as a flight attendant for Trans International Airlines where their primary mission was transporting troops in and out of Viet Nam with fighter escorts. Her love of real estate and the real estate business came next. Bobbi earned her California broker’s license in 1977 and opened the very successful Rancho Viejo Realtors, Inc. agency, which she kept into the 1980s. She also added mortgage lending to her repertoire while in California. Bobbi held her active real estate broker’s license the whole time she lived in Texas, and invested in real estate properties in California, Texas, and Mexico.
In 1998, Bobbi met the love of her life, Joel Oppenheim, and they were committed partners to each other from that day on. Bobbi and Joel married on November 13, 2015, in a private ceremony. Bobbi was delighted to also gain a step-daughter, Erin Oppenheim.
Bobbi was an active volunteer and supporter of many Houston charities and art initiatives that benefited from her generosity and leadership. Those include unicef USA, where she served on the Houston Community Regional Board as an Emeriti Board Member, VICTORY/ American Cancer Society where she served for many years as a volunteer and board member, Houston Children’s Charity, Cancer Counseling, Inc., Asian Pacific American Heritage Association, and the International Festival, among many others. She chaired many galas and silent auctions benefiting these organizations and many more.
Bobbi leaves to remember her and many fond memories: her husband Joel Oppenheim of Houston and step-daughter Erin Oppenheim; brother Dale Kirlin, Jr. and wife Jacque of Quincy, Illinois and their children Kim, Brad, and Craig; brother Gary Kirlin and wife Jo, of Quincy and their children Kellie and Danielle; Don Kirlin and wife Susie, of Boulder, Colorado and their children Kacie, Chris, and Cody; and countless friends.
Bobbi’s family invites you to a Celebration of Her Life on Sunday, September 10th at 4 p.m. at a location to be determined. Remembrances may be directed to VICTORY, a branch of the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge, Houston Hospice, or Camp for All.