Barbara was born on May 29, 1946 in Quantico, VA; daughter of James Sumner and Jane (Lewis) Blais.
She married Arnold Joseph Insel on June 7, 1969 in Los Altos, CA. He survives her. Also surviving Barbara are her children: Thomas Insel of El Cerrito, CA and Sara (Nathan) Kemp of Bloomington, her sister Betsy Shotwell of Palo Alto, CA, her brother and sister-in-law Lawrence and Roberta Insel of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Barbara earned degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, where she met her future husband Arnold, a fellow student, and Illinois State University and worked as a tax preparer until her retirement. She enjoyed travel and took many trips to Hawaii, California, and Europe.
A private family graveside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial. In place of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Planned Parenthood or the Heartland Theatre Company.
