Submitted by: Dan Rich

South Bend Tribune 9/13/2000

Betty Lee Barber

Oct. 8, 1923 - Sept. 9, 2000

Betty Lee Barber, 76, of Myrtle Avenue, South Bend, Ind., is now at peace after a lengthy illness. She passed away on Saturday, Sept. 9, in the Christian Living Campus of Littleton, Colo.

Betty was born, as Elizabeth Lee Kintz, on Oct. 8, 1923, to the late Gerald P. and Bernadine (Riffel) Kintz. She was also preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas (Gladys) Kintz; sister-in-law, Betty Kintz; a granddaughter, Jessica Barber; her father and mother-in-law, Andrew A. and Wilhelimina Barber; and by a brother-in-law, Bill (Phoebe) Barber.

Betty attended St. Mary's Girl's School at St. Mary's College and graduated from Washington-Clay High School in 1942. On Sept. 23, 1945, she married Andrew A. Barber, who survives. They would have celebrated their 55th anniversary this month. She is also survived by three sons, Danny (Benita) Barber of Vandalia, Mich., Larry (Kathy) Barber of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Paul (Peggy) Barber of South Bend; three daughters, Terry (Don) Helvey of Englewood, Colo., Sally of Mishawaka, Ind., and Jenny (Dave) Yuhasz of South Bend; 12 grandchildren, Donny (Renee) of Castle Rock, Colo., Chris of Denver, Colo., Kasi of Englewood, Nathan (Halley) Barber of South Bend, Stefanie Squint of Mishawaka, Jane, Emily, Allen and Sarah Yuhasz of South Bend, Jessie and Willa Barber of Vandalia, and Kimberly Barber of South Bend; two great-grandchildren, Monica and Brock Helvey of Castle Rock; two sisters, M. Catherine (Alex) Stopczynski of Granger, Ind., and Joyce (Richard) Mead of South Bend; two brothers, Jack (Leona) Kintz and Jerry Kintz of South Bend; a brother-in-law, Jack Barber of Canon City, Colo.; many nieces and nephews; and by a special dog, Muddy.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed helping others and had a special place in her heart for all God's creatures, great and small. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church where she sang in the choir for many years. She also enjoyed participating in classes at the Forever Learning Institute of South Bend. Betty loved family gatherings, music, dancing, and watching Notre Dame football.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Sept. 13, in the Welsheimer North Funeral Home, 17033 Cleveland Road, where a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, in Christ the King Catholic Church, with Father Terry Ehrman officiating. Burial will follow at Saint Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. The family will greet friends in the church after 10 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Living Campus, Littleton, Colo., to the Forever Learning Institute, South Bend, or to Pet Refuge.