Barbara Jean Kaack Hall

Barbara Kaack was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on March 18, 1952 to Anton and Anne Kaack. She attended Saukview Elementary School, Central Junior High School, and Bloom Township High School. In 1965, when Barbara was 13, she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At the time, the treatment for this cancer required massive amounts of radiation (cobalt 60) to the chest and abdomen along with chemotherapy. The radiation and chemotherapy in those days were nothing like today’s versions and her chance of survival was slim. Barbara is a strong woman and a fighter and successfully completed treatment and remained cancer free for 5 years. Little did she know that the massive amounts of radiation she received would lead to serious long-term effects and health issues.

Upon graduation from high school she became a nurse’s assistant at Saint James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois. While Barbara and Randy Hall knew each other from Immanuel Lutheran Church activities since 1966 they met again the summer of 1969 and began dating. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois on August 21, 1971. Barbara and Randy moved to Champaign, Illinois where Randy was finishing his education and Barbara worked at Carle Clinic. Once Randy graduated, they moved to West Lafayette, Indiana where Barbara worked at Arnett Clinic as a medical receptionist. In May 1974, Randy graduated and they moved to Yorba Linda, California. This was a huge move for Barbara since her entire family lived in the Chicago area. The Hall plan was to live in California for 3 to 4 years and then move back to the Midwest. However, Randy had a good job and Barbara loved the California weather and the lack of humidity was beneficial to her health. A job change by Randy resulted in a move to Newbury Park in 1979. Tony was adopted in 1979, as well and Barbara thoroughly loved being able to stay home and be a full time mother and homemaker. She also planted and gardened throughout the year and particularly loved her roses and flowering plants. Timothy was adopted in 1986 and made her family complete.

The start of the long-term effects of the radiation Barbara received as a teenager began in 1986. She developed thyroid cancer that was successfully removed and treated with additional radiation. Barbara and Randy had an adventure in taking a 2 week trip to England, Wales, and Scotland. Barbara loved it and she got to see many historical sites and learn the history of the United Kingdom. Then in 1991, Timothy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the next 5 years were filled with trips to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for Tim’s chemotherapy. Fortunately, Tim’s ALL was caught very early and he did not require radiation.

Starting in 1992 Barbara became an expert camper (although she only embraced it for her family). The Hall’s bought an RV and took trips to Yellowstone, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Rainier, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Redwoods National Parks (to name just a few). There was even an extended trip to Canada and the Pacific Northwest. During these years Barbara was also very active in church work and volunteering. She loved working with the children and she (with others) established a King’s Kids program at Christ the King Lutheran Church. She also did a cooking class for the kids at Cypress Elementary School.

Tony was extremely active in sports and there was never a game where Barbara was not at the sidelines cheering on her son. Tony’s sports included soccer, basketball, and baseball. He typically made the All Star team so keeping up with him was a full time job for Barbara, sometimes with two sports going on at the same time. In 1994, when Tim finished his initial chemotherapy, he joined Cub Scouts, and later Boy Scouts. Of course, Barbara was always there to help and lend a hand. It didn’t matter if it was snacks and drinks for Tony’s sports team or refreshments for Tim’s Pack or Troop meetings, Barbara was there. Throughout all these years, Barbara could be counted on to be there and help wherever she could.

In 2001, the long-term radiation effects came back for Barbara when she needed a double bypass due to heart artery damage from the radiation she received 36 years prior. This surgery took place the day before Randy’s birthday and when she came out of surgery her first words were “Sorry I ruined your birthday.” As always, Barbara’s care and concern was for others above herself. During the next 5 years Barbara recovered from the surgery but was a little low on energy. Still she pushed herself to be there for her family and friends. There was more travel to Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii. Then in 2006, Barbara was diagnosed with her first breast cancer. The cancer was removed and while the doctors discussed doing radiation and chemotherapy, experts in the field thought Barbara had already had too much radiation and chemotherapy as a teenager and did not recommend it. Recovery from the breast cancer surgery was more difficult for Barbara but she still managed to keep going, providing for her family as a wife and mother. Shortly after the surgery Barbara began to research late-effects in childhood cancer survivors. It was not a pretty story and we also found out that Barbara had stenosis of the aortic valve and would one day need to have the heart valve replaced.

Still Barbara kept going, strong in her faith and confident of God’s promises. In 2010, Barbara’s heart valve had gotten so bad that she had to have another open heart surgery to have the valve replaced with a mechanical valve. A pacemaker was needed at the same time. Another long recovery process ensued that was helped by Tim who stayed at home with his mother to help and assist while Randy worked. Barbara’s pulmonary function was greatly compromised after the surgery and she only had about 40% of the typical lung function. This was due to the radiation fibrosis in the lungs. Even though Barbara had less stamina and energy she continued on but at a slower pace. It became hard for her to stand for too long, sit for too long, or to exert herself. Things remained largely stable for the next 5 years when Barbara was again diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Surgery was in January of 2016 and her recovery was painfully slow at first and then her health began to decline. After 6 weeks, during an oncology visit, the doctor believed there was something else going on beyond the surgery recovery and that Barbara should go to the emergency room at UCLA, which she did. A CT scan revealed a mass between her liver and stomach and a subsequent biopsy showed the mass to be an aggressive liver cancer that had involved the stomach. Surgery to remove part of the liver and the entire stomach was not feasible given Barbara’s prior health issues so after much prayerful consideration she elected to return home under hospice to be with her family and friends.

Barbara passed away March 13, 2016 as a child of God. Her faith was clearly evident to all who knew her. She was an exceptional wife and mother in spite of her many medical issues and will have a special place in the hearts of her family and many friends.

Barbara had survived breast cancer twice and was passionate about this cause and helping women cope with this disease. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Marcelle Erian Foundation with a notation “in memory of Barbara Hall”. These donations can be sent to Christ the King Church, 3947 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park, CA 91320. The donations will be used to provide support for women in need facing breast cancer surgery.