Helen Marie Barber, 97, passed away April 30, 2026. Born December 27, 1928 to Roy and Reba Boyle, she was the second of 7 siblings. She was a lifetime resident of Kansas City, Missouri graduating from Central High School in 1945.
Married in 1948, Helen and Ed were inseparable for 66 years until his death in 2015. They worked side by side for 37 years as insurance agents for Shield of Shelter, retiring in 1997. Helen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alicia and Lynn Mitchelson; grand daughter-in-law, Emma Pyszka Largent (Christopher), great-grandchildren Kaylee Largent and Nicholas Largent; great-grandchild, Kleo Hegarty; her brother, Robert (Butchie) Boyle and his wife, Barb; sister, Peggy Wilson and her husband, Rick; and sister-in-law, Donna Dillon. Preceding her death was her husband, Ed, daughter, Cathy, siblings, Thelma Gould, George Boyle, Bobbie Young and Sonny Boyle.
Celebration of Life will be on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 3:00 pm at Hillcrest Covenant Church at 8801 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas 66207 with a reception following the service in the fellowship hall. A private family burial took place earlier at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. As Helen often said, "It's for the children."
