Barbara Ann Whitaker-Garrity was born on May 4, 1939 in Kansas City, MO to the late Edward and Alma (nee Scott) Whitaker, preceded in death by her parents and older brother Jim (June) Whitaker.

Barb was born with timeless beauty, whip-smart intelligence, and a sense of humor. She graduated from Kansas City University with a degree in Microbiology and worked in the medical field until beginning her family. Her daughter, Cynthia Elizabeth Echele and three years later, son Kenneth William Kleiman Jr. (Sheila). Barb always had impeccable taste and enjoyed staying busy and active. When her children were older, she went to Dental Hygiene school and once again graduated at the top of her class.

In her retirement, Barb enjoyed traveling and learning as much as she could. She became “Mimi” to her grandchildren Jennifer McElhiney, Rory Staples, Sylvia (Stanton) Burns, Sohnya Kleiman and Kenneth William Kleiman III. Barb’s later years were spent mostly in her favorite state, Florida. For the past 11 years, she and her partner Harold Kinder have been snowbirds between there and St. Louis. Harold has been an ever-loving companion in her last decade. The last five years, Barb has also gotten to enjoy shopping for clothes for her two great-granddaughters, Gracen and Alexandra Burns. Barb will be remembered by her family and loved ones as having true determination and wisdom. Not to mention some pretty good dance moves and golfing skills.

Barbara-Mom-Mimi, peacefully went to Heaven on January 15th, 2024 after a short battle with cancer in that sharp brain of hers. We are confident she is at peace and playing golf.

Service information: Visitation/celebration of life will be held at a later date.