Barbara Jean Leonard Lewis was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on January 12, 1932 to Emil and Clara Rothenbecker. She passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026 with family members at her side. She was the seventh of eight children. She and her sister Katie had a life-long debate as to WHO was actually the youngest child. The family struggled through the Great Depression, both financially and emotionally. Barb helped her older siblings as they started their own families and moved out of the family home.
She was invited by a friend to visit Saline High School one day and was introduced to the classroom. When asked if any of the students had questions for her, Jack Leonard raised his hand and asked for her phone number! Thus began their 76 year love affair.
Jack and Barb quickly started their family with daughters Jacqueline (“Jackie” Leonard Rowe) and Marilyn (Marilyn Leonard Vanover). They were closely connected to friends and family, and they built a relationship with Saline United Methodist Church. They were adventurous and traveled across the United States, often in family groupings. Barb lovingly welcomed sons-in-law Les Rowe, and Randy Vanover into her nuclear family…