Barbara Jean Lentz

Barbara Jean (Kee) Lentz, daughter of John and Helen (Hilbert) Kee, entered this world on November 20,1945 in Chicago, Illinois and joined her husband Robert Eugene Lentz in heaven on April 25, 2025. Barbara and her two sisters Linda and Sue grew up in Decatur, Illinois. At the young age of eighteen, Barbara bravely left her family and hometown to start a new life in Phoenix, Arizona. Driving solo she arrived September of 66’ and on December 3rd of that same year she met Robert E. Lentz at the iconic ”Mr. Lucky’s”. It only took “Bob” 27 days to realize he needed to spend the rest of his life with “Barb” and on June 3rd, 1966 they were joined in marriage and became “Bob and Barb”. They raised three boys together..

Barbara graduated from St. Theresa Catholic High School in Decatur, Ill in 1966. In 1984 Barbara graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in teaching and in 1993, she earned her master’s degree in special education. She went on to teach special education and first grade for 25 years in the Washington School District. She retired in 2010.

Barb was always busy volunteering with non-profit organizations including Marine Corps League- First Marine Association, Glendale Women’s Club and with many other nonprofit organizations she was a part of. Barbara and her beloved border collie “Luna” could often be found volunteering to feed the homeless at Knights of Columbus Hall or providing comfort to the children at Thunderbird Hospital as a therapy dog handler. While always a private person, and as a proud teacher and volunteer, Barbara gave of her time to many causes during her life where she touched and influenced many lives young and old.

Barbara Jean Lentz passed only two months after her life long husband of 58 years, mostly of a broken heart. Barbara is survived by her sons, Todd (Alissa), Bryan (Misha), Chad (Renee), eight granddaughters and a grandson, and her extended family by marriage, Karen Cooper (Mark) and Theresa Buschbacher (Michael). Barbara also leaves behind many nieces and nephews great and greater. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 9:00 am at National Veterans Memorial Cemetery.