Page created by: Jim Barr

Kathleen Joan Barr, 91, of Anderson, SC, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson, South Carolina.

She was born September 19, 1928 in Barberton, OH, and was a daughter of the late Joseph Addison Bing and Gladys Price Howells Bing. She was survived by her husband John, her four sons, and she was preceded by her sister and brother.

Kathleen was a graduate of Barberton High School, and was named Miss Barberton in her teens. She was a homemaker for 71 years to John.

She and her husband spent 14 years in Northbrook, IL, 2 years traveling the country in a travel trailer, 25 years in Florida in the Hawthorne community, and the last 4 years in Anderson, South Carolina in the Brookdale community. Kathleen was a yoga instructor, a supporter of various charities and most recently was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.

In 2011, Kathleen was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Initially, it manifested in small tremors in her hands and was noticeable at times in her speech. Speech therapy and medication managed those symptoms well for quite a while.

As the years went on, it was evident that she was degrading more and more physically, but not mentally. The cruel truth about Parkinson's is that it degrades the body but not the mind. Kathleen's physical symptoms were evident, and ultimately resulted in weakness, however she always remained sharp, lucid, and retained her sense of humor as the disease progressed.

In her last year of life, Kathleen had a couple bouts of pneumonia and broke two hips, enduring surgery twice. Recovery was slow, and it left her weak. And combined with insurance issues, she was unable to properly receive the physical therapy care she really needed to gain her strength.

In her last week of life, she became unresponsive, and went into the hospital. Even pain response tests failed to evoke any response. She was moved into Hospice, and after several days, Kathleen passed away peacefully.

Our wish is that if you feel compelled, please consider giving to Parkinson's Research.