Unit 181,I am sadden for your lost....I liked Barb very much and I am sorry we all weren't  there for you and the kids. Oh you remember?....when we were kids, when we were in the Nam and when we worked for the DOC, when we were separated, but still  were together. SEMPER FI my brother, with much love for barb's family and your family.God Bless Unit482.

Apryl, Jason, Preston, Chase, Yuri, Rebecca, and Harry, I am so sorry for your loss. Please speak Barbara's name often she was a good woman and Grandmother. Memories are everything and she left some good ones!

My thoughts have turned to you and Barb all week. Please accept my best wishes and sincerest sympathy.

Ron S.

Harry and family, our deepest sympathy for all of you. God bless you with comfort. Thinking of you.

Yuri, Jill, Apryl, Jason and Family,

Our deepest sympathies - with thoughts of peace and courage for you...

Dearest Harry, Yuri, Jill, Apryl, Jason, Rebecca and Family, I was so saddened for your loss of such a wonderful courageous beautifully souled woman.(who played a different role in each of your lives). I will keep you all in my heart and prayers during this difficult time and in the days that follow. "As long as we live they too will live,for they are now a part of us as we remember them". Ever so Fondly and with love,Abby Levin

Apryl, Jason & family, we were sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother.
Thinking of you.
Bill & Connie Bradley

My mother, Barbara Pilkins, passed away during the evening of April 4. She'd been dealing with stage 4 cancer for almost a year since diagnosis, and left this plane quietly and gracefully, in her own bedroom surrounded by her children, husband, and sisters. Although the last 12 months had been a battle for her, the end was merciful. 

My sisters and I often joke about the different stages of mom's life over the years. I laughingly describe my days growing up with mom as “Barb 2.0” as this was the time when she and my father moved from rural Indiana to the big city of Indianapolis. It was there that she and my father lived in Broad Ripple and entertained musicians, hippies, painters, authors, and various other characters. Mom was also taking ballet lessons at the time, and wore her golden hair impressively long. This time in Broad Ripple was special to me and it would eventually become my life long home. 

Mom was a creative soul who dabbled in painting, writing, and had terrific taste in music. Her cooking skills were enjoyed by all and the holiday meals were her speciality. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed a healthy dose of genre fiction, but didn't always enjoy my recommendations as she preferred stories with clearly defined heroes who always did the right thing 

Mom eventually remarried and moved back to the rural countryside of western Indiana. She lived a couple more lives out there, eventually bringing my two sisters into the world during the process, and ultimately creating a family that will always be her loving legacy.

We were luckier than some in that we had the last twelve months to reflect on the past and tell almost all of the stories we could remember about our lives together before saying goodbye. The last week with her was a blessing filled with laughs and tears and precious minutes that come together to make great memories. In the last days, mom slipped further into a sleep from which she'd not awaken, but she did open her eyes and leave us with these final words: “Tomorrow is going to be a better day”. I'm hard pressed to come up with a more simple bit of wisdom in which to leave the world and loved ones behind.

OBITUARY

Barbara Charlene Plunkett Pilkins

15 April, 1949 – 4 April, 2014

Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services