Barbara Anne Haller Boylan Schager

Barb was born to Helen and George Haller on Sept. 10, 1965, the second of six children. She was raised in Bakersfield, California, where she attended Van Horn Elementary School, Thompson Junior High School, Garces Memorial High School and received a degree in business from California State University, Bakersfield.

She married Kevin Boylan in 1990 and together they had two sons, Jimmy and Matt. Kevin died after an automobile accident in 1999.

She met Jason Schager at the wedding of mutual friends and they were married in 2001 and Barb and the boys moved to Ames.

She was a natural born sales person. Her grandpa always said she could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. She began her sales career at about age 8, selling Grandpa’s surplus vegetables out of her little red wagon which she pulled from door to door. She later worked for Revelation Dress Shop, Southwestern Book Company, Contel Telephone, Stewart Title Company, Southern Living and CABI clothes.

Barb had an amazing ability to remember names, faces and dates as well as facts about a person. She made people feel special by calling them by name and then asking about whatever was going on in their lives. She loved a party and her home was a social center for her many friends.

Barb was incredible at interior decorating and all of her friends and relatives will miss her input when redoing their decor. A workman once commented that her living room looked like Hobby Lobby, but every piece was lovingly put in its special place so that House Beautiful could have come in at any moment and done a photo shoot.

Her eye for color transferred to her ability to put clothing outfits together. When she walked out of her home, she always looked great, even if she was in an old pair of sweats. The only prize she ever won in an athletic event was for the “Best Dressed Golfer.” Her sister Mary Kay, who despises shopping, will be lost every Spring and Fall when the new CABI line comes out and she can’t just make a phone call to Barb and discuss what she should buy. Mary Kay is not the only one! Many have come to rely on her honest but gentle ability to be able to say what looks good and what doesn’t.

Barb’s ability to be able to send just the right message via the written word was amazing. One of her greatest difficulties during her illness was that, because of people’s generosity, she couldn’t keep up with the thank you notes. She kept every note and card she received in a big box and intended to return a note to each of her many friends. That day never came so her family now extends their appreciation to all of you who have so lovingly and faithfully supported her in so many ways.

She was known for her “gift of gab” and for being able to drag a story out or retell the same story and still make you laugh. She was generous and giving to those around her and supported so many people in so many ways in their hours of need.

But most of all, we were all inspired by her incredible faith which grew stronger as her illness progressed. Her house is marked by inspirational Bible verses and other sayings and decorative crosses. She daily read her pages of Bible verses and frequently said the rosary with her mom. A favorite memory of Barb is her story about finding coins. After the death of her first husband she began walking daily and every day she would find a coin. She wondered why she kept finding coins no matter where she went and commented on whether God was trying to give her a message. She put the coins in a container and one day picked one up and glanced at it and the first words that caught her eye were “In God We Trust.” From that day forward, that is what she did.

While living in Ames, she co-chaired the St. Cecilia School Gala and helped with Meals on Wheels, ACAC Swim Club and the Mary Greeley Hospital Auxiliary. She was also a member of Beta Tau Delta Sorority, a book club and a bunco group. Even though her athletic ability was suspect, she was once a player on the Cosmo Girls recreational volleyball team where she was famous for her “Tomahawk Chop.”

Barbara lost her 2 year battle with pancreatic cancer on Sept. 9, 2010, one day before her 45th birthday. So many people shared her journey both in person and through her website and all were impressed by her faith, determination and positive attitude. For one who grew up fearing needles and all things medical, she never complained and always smiled at her caregivers and said “thank you.” We have all been humbled by her courageous fight and her growth in spirituality.

She is survived by her husband Jason, sons Jimmy and Matt, parents Helen and George, and also by siblings Mary Kay (Ken) Link, Dianne (Dave) Peranich, Joan (Jeff) Finch, Katie (Scott) Metcalf, Daniel (Tiffany) Haller; Jason’s parents Joyce and Bob Schager and siblings Scott (Ginger) Schager and Cindy (David) Brown: Kevin’s mom Doreen Boylan (Bob) Abrams and siblings Greg (DeDe) Boylan, Jennifer (Dan) Drake, Jennice (Steve) Cerrina, Bryan (Traci) Boylan and 27 nieces and nephews)

The family wishes to thank all those who lovingly cared for her during her illness: Dr, Axel Grothey, Dr. Joseph Merchant, Dr. David Larson, Leigh Anne, the Hospice nurse, and all the nurses, radiologists and technicians. Your loving attention and encouragement made her journey a little easier.

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Barbara Boylan Schager died September 9, 2010 in her home in Ames, Iowa, one day shy of her 45th birthday. Barbara is survived by her husband Jason and two sons, Jimmy and Matt Boylan. Barbara grew up in Bakersfield, CA and moved to Iowa in 2001. In her two year battle with pancreatic cancer, Barbara grew an Army of friends and family across the world through Barbstrong.com. Barbara’s belief in Faith, Hope, and Love carried her through life. Her winning smile will be a lasting memory for all who had the privilege of knowing her. Funeral services will be held Monday, Sept. 13th at 10:30 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames. We encourage people to wear purple.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Cecilia Church, 2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, IA 50010; or ACAC Swim Club, 3336 Bayberry Circle, Ames, IA 50014; or Mayo Clinic/Pancreatic Research, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905.

Condolences may be sent to www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Stevens Memorial Chapel, Ames, IA.