Barbara Jane Light

November 3, 1931 - August 18, 2020

Barbara Jane Light, 88, of Bloomington, passed away at Garden Villa on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, after a lengthy illness. She was born on November 3, 1931, in Clarksdale MS. Her parents were the late LeRoy B. Light and Una Ruth Nicoll Light. Barbara’s father was a civil engineer who worked in road construction, so the family moved many times and Barbara actually developed a great love for travel! She graduated from high school in Salem IN in 1950, Hanover College in 1954 with a BA in Business Administration, and an MS in Recreation from Indiana University in 1963. In an era when women were not encouraged to succeed in the workplace, Barbara was a trailblazer and a wonderful role model for those who knew her. Her career spanned many years with the Girl Scouts of the USA, including Tulip Trace Council of Girl Scouts in Bloomington from 1963-68 and 1976-94. During the latter years, she was key in development of Belmont Camp in Brown County. From 1968-74, Barbara was employed as a Girl Scout professional in Heidelberg, Germany, with Troops on Foreign Soil, organizing Girl Scout troops and camping experiences on U.S. military bases. While living in Germany, Barbara really fueled her love of travel to see other parts of the world. Some of the countries she visited over her lifetime were Germany, Spain, Switzerland, England, India, Iran, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Afghanistan, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Portugal, Canada, China and Israel. Although small in stature, Barbara’s personality and enthusiasm for life was not only infectious, but extraordinary as well. She loved music and was skilled in the saxophone, autoharp, marimba, hand bells, as well as tap dance. She pursued learning artistic skills: ceramics, woodcarving, and cross stitch. Other interests were hiking, reading, and collecting artwork from the countries she visited. She delighted in all things Snoopy! Another of her great joys was attending games and cheering for Indiana University women’s basketball teams. Go Hoosiers! Barbara was committed to volunteer work in the community. She was in Altrusa International, holding all possible offices. She organized both the Walk for the Cure and Sing for the Cure locally, securing IU music students and world-renowned performers for the Sing, to raise funds for breast cancer research. Barbara was a 1978 graduate of Leadership Bloomington. She served on the boards of the Monroe County Mental Health Association, the Area 10 Agency on Aging, and United Way of Monroe County, and volunteered with Salvation Army. An active member – and handbell ringer – at First United Methodist Church, Barbara served in mission trips with the church to Sierra Leone in 1990, to Russia in 1995, and traveled the Holy Land/Israel in 1999. Barbara received many honors and citations throughout her life. Two of her proudest achievements were a 1989 Women’s History Month recognition from the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, as well as the development and implementation of Joyous Garde, a Girl Scout program for environmentally at-risk girls in Monroe, Owen and Jackson Counties. She touched lives. Aunt Barbara had a close, loving relationship with her family and, until she was no longer able to travel, never missed a holiday gathering or other family celebration. She is survived by her sister-in-law, June Light of Coshocton OH; nieces Judith (Dave) Erwin of Tuscaloosa AL; Ruthanna (Hayden) Daliere of Coshocton OH; and nephew Wayne (Cindy) Light of Coshocton OH. Barbara is also survived by 4 great-nieces, 4 great-nephews, 5 great-great-nieces and 10 great-great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert Light, and a great-niece, Dawne Kaib. Very special thanks go to Sharyl, Maria and Jean; caregivers Tiffany and Rachel; Southern Hills Hospice (Susan, Dorothy, Helen and Rick); and staff and neighbors at Bell Trace, Autumn Hills and Garden Villa for their faithful care of Barbara in her declining years. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions made in Barbara’s name to: Girl Scouts of the USA - go to www.girlscouts.org for instructions on donating online or via mail; or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601 or www.alz.org. A funeral service will be held at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37, Bloomington, on Saturday, August 22, at 3 pm. Visitation will be from 1 pm until the time of service. Masks and social distancing are required. Inurnment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Salem IN at a later date. Online condolences, photos and memories of Barbara “Chippy” Light may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com