Cecelia Barr

Cecelia Frances Klein Barr of Grosse Pointe Woods passed away on December 7, 2025. Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 21, 1931, she was the daughter of Gene Brown Klein and Edna Giovanda. After graduating from Redford High School, January 1949, she immediately began working in the Guidance & Placement Department of the Detroit Board of Education. She administered aptitude tests and the General Educational Development test (G.E.D.) to young adults and veterans from WWII.

In August 1955, she met Robert Wilson Barr at Jack & Jill Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan. They were married at Calvary Methodist Church (now Redford Methodist) on June 16, 1956. The young marrieds purchased a home in St. Clair Shores where their three daughters were born. Cecelia became a full-time homemaker. Cecelia and Bob were active members of Lake Shore Presbyterian Church and Bob was a church officer.

In 1971 the family moved to Grosse Pointe Woods. During the girls growing up years, Cecelia returned to the work world. She held administrative positions at University Liggett School, Scientific American and the Junior League of Detroit. Upon retirement she was made an honorary member of the Junior League of Detroit. Cecelia and Bob had a fun life of traveling and playing golf with their many friends. After Bob died in 2001, she continued to lead an active social life in Grosse Pointe with friends and neighbors, and until age 90 maintaining her home and yard which gave her great pride and joy. She loved flowers and gardening and was an active member of Deeplands Garden Club.

She moved to Fairfield, CT in 2021 and spent her final years at Sturges Ridge Assisted Living where she continued to keep active and made many new friends.

Cecelia was preceded in death by the love of her life, Robert Wilson Barr in Sydney, Australia on October 11, 2001 and by her eldest daughter Jeanne (Steve) Carey of Falmouth, MA on August 20, 2024. Her only sibling, Betty Klein Kosal passed on February 10, 2013. She is survived by beloved children Susan (Gerard) O’Donovan of Fairfield, CT, Sheila (Scott) Holman of Washington, DC. Grandmother of Allison (Adam) Firely of Scituate, MA, Megan (Ian Duncan) Carey of Brooklyn, NY, Robert O’Donovan of Fairfield, CT and Patrick O’Donovan of Somerville, MA, Laine and Wilson Holman of Washington, DC. Lucky great-grandmother to Charlie and Rose Firely of Scituate, MA. Also survived by nieces Margaret Kosal of Atlanta, GA, Siobhain (Larry) Weston of East Grand Rapids, MI and Scott (Suzzanne) Gordon of Switzerland.

A memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 3 - 7 p.m. at A H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 21st at Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, 27801 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081.

Cecelia was a passionate supporter of Planned Parenthood and donations in her memory would be appreciated at: www.weareplannedparenthood.org/onlineactions .