Barbara graduated from the Notre Dame High School for Girls in 1957. Shortly after graduation, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame. The convent supported her undergraduate studies at Trinity College in Washington D.C. and her graduate studies at Cornell University. Between stages of religious formations, she returned to her alma mater - the Notre Dame High School for Girls – to teach physics and theology. She decided to leave the convent around 1967.
In 1968, Barbara met John Boehm while they were both teaching in the math and science department at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. John and Barbara had two children, Sarah and David.
In 2003, Barbara retired from teaching math at Wheeling High School to volunteer in her community. She volunteered at St. James’ Public Assistance to Deliver Shelter (PADS) and at La Casa Central as an English language tutor. She and her husband, John, traveled domestically and internationally during retirement. Family and friends fondly remember her lively holiday gatherings.
Barbara was preceded by her parents, Edward and Dorothy Walsh, and her three sisters, Sara, Janet, and Patricia.
Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 53 years, John; two children, Sarah (Vijay), David; two grandchildren, Lakshmi Isabelle, Aditya Edward; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Saturday, March 29th 2025 from 2pm-5pm at the Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 North Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Dominican Literacy Center at 260 Vermont Avenue, Aurora or the Greater Chicago Food Depository at chicagosfoodbank.org.
