Barbara B. Klein

Barbara Klein (nee Bookman) passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Heritage of Hudson Rehabilitation Center in Hudson, OH, with her daughter, Melissa, by her side. A native Clevelander, Barbara was born on October 29,1939, dear daughter of the late Charles Forest Bookman and Myrl Lindahl Bookman, and loving sister to Ren (Mary) Bookman. Barbara was married for 18 years to Terry (deceased), and had one daughter, Melissa Anne, who she cherished and adored.

Barbara filled her almost 84 years with much activity, much travel, and much love. Her greatest love, and her greatest treasure—her daughter Melissa—provided her the role she held most dear, that of mother. As mother to Melissa, Barbara was active in the PTA, in Brownies and Girl Scouts, in the Church they attended together, and in all of Melissa’s school activities and as her room mother. Being Melissa’s mom was the title Barbara held nearest to her heart and filled her with the love that gave her life its richest meaning.

Another role that Barbara held dear was her role as Aunt to her niece and nephew and their children. Known with great affection as “Auntie Bar,” she willingly gave fully of herself to help out their growing families in any way she could often being a ready ear for anyone who needed to talk, and a ready car for anyone who needed a ride. Auntie Bar’s endless quick wit and sharp intelligence made her a funny and wise confidante.

Barbara was also a most special friend to many. When Barbara was your friend, she was a friend who was more like family. At the age of two, she met her forever friend, Joan, and began a friendship that would endure for 78 years.

While in her forties, she found great joy as the dedicated Director of Volunteers as Judson Retirement Community in Cleveland, OH. The job brought her great personal fulfillment, and it also brought her yet an additional friendship bond in the “Canada Girls,” a strong group of female friends who were sisters to Barbara until her passing. With her “Canada Girls” Barbara shared many laughs, many wild antics, and many shared traveling memories. Finally, as a result of being open to the richness of life and its experiences, when Barbara moved into a facility with Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Nursing Care, she met her “late-in-life” companion with whom she traveled almost 7,000 miles across the entire United States by car. Together, they visited as many National Parks as they could and commemorated their trips in colorful photo albums which held all the new memories Barbara enjoyed creating.

Barbara loved the people in her life, the relationships she created with those people, and all the memories that evolved from those relationships. She cherished the special moments she had with each person, with each relationship, and within each memory. Many of these memories were made with those who have survived her, and who will keep her alive in their minds and hearts by sharing those memories with one another. Barbara is survived by her brother Reynold (Mary) Bookman, her daughter Melissa Lindahl, her niece Margaret (Kenny) Juergens, her nephew Forest (Kristen) Bookman, six great-nieces and great-nephews; Grace, Eleanor, Hanna, Jane, Tyler, Justin, one great grandniece, Clark, as well as her dear “Canada Girls.”

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the moments of Barbara’s beautiful life at a gathering at The Nature Center of Shaker Heights, 2600 South Park Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44120 on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Barbara’s name to the charity of your choice.