Barbara J. McKenzie

D.O.B. April 8, 1952 D.O.D. MARCH 30, 2011

Visitation will be Friday April 1, 2011 from 3:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home located at 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake MI. Funeral Service Saturday April 2, 2011 at 10:00 am. The family will receive friends at 9:00 am until the time of service

Memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Barb was born and grew up in Detroit. She was the fifth of six children of Marguerite and Leonard DeLong. Barb graduated from Cass Tech. High School in 1970, taking additional courses at Henry Ford Community College. She met and married Al McKenzie in 1977.

Along with her sister Judy, Barb owned and operated a pet store in the Petoskey/Gaylord area. She eventually went to work in the commercial insurance industry working at Travelers, Kemper and a number of brokerage agencies ending with Swett & Crawford 2010. Her industry knowledge and abilities were well respected.

Barb and Al adopted two beautiful girls, Amanda, 21 and Kaitlyn, 17. Amanda was the first direct hospital placement from Detroit Riverview Hospital. They lived in Commerce Township for the last 32 years.

Barb spent many years as a Girl Scout leader for both Amanda’s and Kaitlyn’s troops and serving for awhile as the neighborhood registrar. As troop leader Barb lead her troops in many service projects, fun activities and trips large and small. Barb also served on the board of directors for the Huron Woods Civic Association and the social committee. Along with friends Vicky Ebert and Colleen Alstead they put on the three best annual neighborhood parties the association had seen.

Barb loved animals and raised Persian cats for breeding and show building up to a total of 13 at one point. She had one champion cat and one young cat with champion points.

Barb is survived by her husband Al, daughters Amanda and Kaitlyn, sisters Sally (NEE Rhodes) (Ray) Shrewsberry and Judy (NEE DeLong) (Martin) Puroll, brothers Don (Carol) Fuller, Chuck Fuller and Larry (Shannon) DeLong, sister-in-law Diane (NEE McKenzie) (Dave) Mallory and brother-in-law Bruce McKenzie. Barb was aunt and great aunt to many loved nieces and nephews.

Barb and her family thank all the family and friends for the outpouring of support and assistance through her last almost two years.

Barb passed at home quietly and comfortably in the presence of family.