Barbara Marie Boyd

Barbara Marie Boyd, nee Bergman, 89, died at home in Mishawaka, Indiana, on July 3, 2024, of complications from lung cancer and a fall. She was born on June 3, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan, to Walter G. and Emma G. (Jacobs) Bergman.

After Barbara lost her mother at an early age, her stepmother, the former Isabel Swain, largely raised her, including several years in Germany and Switzerland during the post-war era. Barbara graduated from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where on a blind date, she met John William Boyd, whom she married on December 21, 1957 in Highland Park, Michigan. She received her master’s degree in special education from Northern Illinois University in 1975.

Barbara and John raised their family in Galesburg, Illinois, where she served as a teacher of children with learning disabilities for twenty years for Galesburg CUSD 205 and the Knox-Warren Special Education Cooperative. Barbara served in various capacities for the Knox County League of Women Voters, including chapter president and Voter Services Chair. 

After retiring from teaching in 1996, Barbara pursued interests in hiking and visiting art museums. John preceded her in death in 2005. Barbara was also preceded in death by brother, Courtis “Bill” Bergman; sister, Margaret Loving; and stepsister, Barbara Swain Magee.

Barbara lived for the last 14 years of her life in Mishawaka, Indiana, near her youngest son, David, and his family. She was an active member of the First Unitarian Church in South Bend.

Barbara is survived by three sons, Michael (Susan) Boyd of Chicago; Steven (Sandye McCraw) Boyd of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and David (Heather) Boyd of Granger, Indiana; five grandchildren, William “Willie”, John (fiancée Elizabeth Simmermeyer), Andrew, Catherine “Katie”, and Anna Boyd, all of Granger, Indiana; step-granddaughter, Alexandra Byers (Patrick Dees) of Huntsville, Alabama; step-great-grandchildren, Casey and Sagan Dees; and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, July 22, 2024 at First Unitarian Church, 801 E. Washington Street, South Bend, Indiana. Rev. Chip Roush is presiding. The service will be available over Zoom: firstunitarian.us/zoom-link

Donations in memory of Barbara may be made to the First Unitarian Church Building Fund (801 E. Washington St., South Bend, IN 46617) or to Knox College (2 E. South Street, Galesburg, Illinois 61401).

Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with her care.

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