Barbara Blascoe spent 30 years educating children

A meeting between Barbara Kuhs and Gary Blascoe was the beginning of a connection that lasted over 30 years. “Barbara was shopping for a sofa at Rockford Standard Furniture where I worked.” Gary said. “She came back a few weeks later and I asked her for a date. That was the beginning of a long and happy life together.” Gary and Barbara were married at Macktown Living History Museum in Rockton, Illinois, in 1994.

Barbara Blascoe passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. She was 75 years old.

She was born on March 10, 1949, to Norma and Kelsey Kuhs. The family lived in Ripon, Wisconsin, where she attended elementary and high school. Barbara always wanted to become a teacher. She graduated with a degree in education from Wisconsin-Oshkosh College in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Barbara was a devoted educator. She taught at several elementary schools in the Rockford area including Rolling Green, Kishwaukee, and Church Elementary schools. She also taught sixth grade at Eisenhower Middle School in Rockford, Illinois.

Barbara retired after 34 years in the classroom. She later worked for College Admissions Assistance. (CAA) and for Kara Vita Skin Care.

She was devoted to her family and spent many hours with her daughters and grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Gary; daughters, April (Jeff Staas) Sinkiawic and Amanda (Matt Putnam) Cooper; step-daughters, Amy (Dan) Kinsella and Dena (Kyle) Vavra; sister, Vickie (Jeff) Halom; sister-in-law, Gloria Kuhs; brothers-in-law, Bill (Jean) Blascoe and Dave Blascoe; grandchildren, Cooper, Adynn, Taybor, Sonnie, Sander, Olivia, Gracie, Audrey, Joe and Claire Kinsella; nieces and nephews, Lilly Halom, Madison Blascoe and Ryan Kuhs.

She is predeceased by her parents and brother, Richard.

A private Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.