Barbara R. Campbell

Barbara R. Campbell, 92, formerly of Elm Grove, died Friday, March 15, after a long battle with dementia.

Barb was born in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, in 1932 to Ruth and Edward Whitford. She grew up in New Jersey and Rhode Island and graduated from Lockwood High School in Warwick in 1950. She then enrolled at the University of Rhode Island, where she met A. Robert “Bob” Campbell. They were married in 1952.

Barb was the center of the Campbell family, which relocated to the Milwaukee area in 1960. With their six children, Barb and Bob lived active lives filled with golf, skiing, fishing, and curling. They were long-time members of the Oconomowoc Golf Club and Wauwatosa Curling Club. They were also avid Packer and Badger fans with high-level tailgating skills.

In addition to raising her family, Barb was a long-time employee at Elliott’s Ace Hardware in Elm Grove. She loved to read, sew, and do counted cross-stitch, often sharing her artwork with family and friends. In retirement she golfed as much as possible and remained active until her illness. In all parts of life she was a quiet powerhouse, even in the face of the disease that took her from us.

Barb is survived by her children: Kevin (Michelle), Mount Horeb, WI; Ellen (Jerry) Wojtak, Waunakee, WI; Robert (Lisa), Milwaukee; Brian (Deb), Wales, WI; Glenn (Cathy), Naperville, IL; and Beth (Deb Alley), Austin, TX. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and two brothers – Edward (Dolores) Whitford, Rockford, IL, and James Whitford, Coventry, RI. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. The family is grateful for the caring people who brought help and joy to Barb in her final years, including those at Inglehaven Assisted Living, Agrace Hospice, and especially Sonrisas Assisted Living in Verona.

A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, May 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Elm Grove Women's Club, 13885 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove. A brief ceremony will be followed by visitation and a light lunch. Condolences may be sent c/o Kevin Campbell, 415 Lake St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572. Donations may be made in Barb’s memory to your local public library, public television, or the Alzheimer’s Association.