Robin was born June 3, 1955 to Carlyle (“Buddy”) and Dolly Barnard in Kansas City, Missouri. As the daughter of a minister, Robin moved multiple times when her father changed congregations. She attended Michigan State University earning her undergraduate degree and went on to earn her master’s degree in Criminal Justice. After college, she worked for the Jackson County Juvenile Court, then managed the Overland Park Racquet Club. Eventually, she moved to Kentucky to be near her family and worked in a children’s group home there.
She was a life-long fan of Kentucky basketball. Wearing her heart on her sleeve and with a handkerchief always nearby, Robin couldn’t help shedding a tear every time she heard “My Old Kentucky Home” or one of the old hymns that brought her parents to mind.
Robin returned to the Kansas City area in 1994 to become Court Administrator for the Overland Park Municipal Court, retiring in 2017.
In 2015, Robin married her longtime partner Leslie Moody, on July 3rd - the same date they met 20 years earlier. Whether they were traveling domestically or internationally, or spending their time at home with their beloved pets, Leslie and Robin were inseparable.
She was clever, funny and quite silly at times especially when dancing to the Stylistics or Barry White. Robin loved to sing harmony, especially when “Ripple” or any John Prine song was playing. She liked writing and was an avid reader, often finishing several books in a week. She bemoaned a lack of artistic talent, but had mastered drawing a perfect, cartoon chicken. She was always on a search for the perfect cheeseburger, finally deciding Southside Bar & Grille was pretty close.
Relationships were important to Robin and she made everyone feel special. She was an indispensable friend - one to whom you could share a funny moment knowing that she too would find it funny. Her phone was never far away making her easy to reach and she loved the Find-A-Friend feature, so she knew where to find them at a moment’s notice. Her caring and generosity went beyond her immediate friends and she was quick to support those in need. We love her dearly and cannot imagine life without her.
Robin was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sisters-in-law, Linda Barnard and Robin Cook, nephew Jack Cook and dear friend Jane Neff-Brain.
She is survived by her wife, Leslie Moody, mother-in-law Shirley Moody, brother Greg Barnard, nephews Justin (Shelly) Barnard, Darren (Laine) Barnard and their families, brother-in-law Paul Cook, niece Bailey Cook, sister-in-law Allison Parrott and family and beloved pets, Truman and Trixie.
Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am, Monday, March 28 at McGilley State Line Funeral Home, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Humane Society of Greater KC or International Rescue Committee to support Ukranian refugees.
Rest in peace Robin. Hope you are enjoying your cheeseburger in paradise.
