Barbara Jane Kalisch

BARBARA JANE KALISCH

Cedar Rapids

Barbara Jane Kalisch's beautiful spirit left this earth peacefully on Dec. 21, 2017. She was 68, born on July 31, 1949, the first daughter of Mary Kalisch and the late Bertram Kalisch Jr.

Growing up in Cedar Rapids, she fell deeply in love with literature, the arts and nature. Her intellectual wit and gentle demeanor touched all who knew her.

Barbara's compassionate character directed her to work with the impoverished in Amritapuri, India, and to serve her local communities through her work in the state aid departments of Wisconsin and, later, New Mexico, where she made her home.

Living simply, she preferred to give rather than have. She was a regular at the local library, took daily walks, volunteered consistently and found the unique beauty within the ordinary.

With exquisite grace, she quietly endured an untreatable cancer. Her reaching out to others in need never wavered, nor did her humor. She was so moved by the daily support of loved ones, and expressed feeling much comfort through their visits, calls and prayers.

Grateful she is at peace, but having lost a part of their hearts, she is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Sarah McGrath, and son-in-law, Kevin Myers; her mother, Mary Kalisch; her siblings, Deb Ogden, Bert Kalisch, Jim Kalisch, Liz Drahos, Roberta Shauchunas and Jeanne Smith; and all her extended relatives and dear friends.

Her family will gather to celebrate her life at a later time. "Your acts of kindness are iridescent wings of divine love, which linger and continue to uplift others long after your sharing" Rumi