Barbara Meek (Rennie) Stajduhar, died Tuesday, March 15th, 2022 in Sycamore.

Barbara was born August 25, 1937, in Chicago, to John (Iain) and Mary Rennie, immigrants from Scotland.

As a little girl, Barbara was a shining star academically at Hayt Elementary, in Chicago. She attended Senn High School (January class of 1955), in Chicago. At her 50th reunion she was told by many that she was "the smartest girl they'd ever met". Over time, she excelled so strongly in her studies that she was moved ahead a grade, graduating at age 16.  When Barbara sought higher education she looked to ivy league options but quickly learned that she wasn't allowed because she was a woman.  At Northwestern University, she earned both a Bachelors (1959) and a Masters (1960) degree in Experimental Psychology. She often reminisced about research she conducted at the University of Hawaii studying how Tilapia see color.

As a young lady she used her blue-eyes to find her sweetheart, James Joseph Stajduhar.  In 1962 Barbara and Jimmy eloped in during the Vietnam war as he served honorably at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

She worked for Marshall Fields and was a master gift wrapper.  Everyone always loved gifts that she had wrapped and expertly decorated with bows and ribbons.  Barbara continued on as a young professional and worked for the City of Chicago writing and administering the various civil servant exams for various government positions.  Barbara even tried her hand at textbook writing  for Scott Forsman . Barbara worked for George J Ball Seed Company in the 1970's, 80's, and early 90's as a Systems Analyst early in the computer boom.  She later was employed by Tennico in Lake Forest before she enjoyed retirement.

Barbara was active in Afghan Hound conformation having champion bloodlines in the show ring.  Later she became a volunteer in Greyhound adoption and fostering.  Many hard to place dogs met their match at Barb's house.  She even adopted a few of her foster dogs that needed her, or she needed them.  Barb accompanied groups of volunteers across the country picking up retired Greyhounds at various tracks and farms.  She took them in, cared for them, and taught them some house manner until they found a couch of their own.

Barb spent her most recent years at the Grand Victorian enjoying day trips, complex trivia, many rounds of Wheel of Fortune, and companionship within her community.

She was a voracious reader of the New Yorker, and Smithsonian. She loved a good Agitha Christie book and the daily newspaper. She watched PBS and several progressive newscasts for her information on news and culture.

Barbara kept a close eye on government and politics as well as world events. She would not hesitate to share her views and opinions on nearly everything. She had a deep pride in her country and fondly remembered FDR whom she greatly admired during the depression and WWII because he did remarkable things to make America a better place.

Barbara was an adventurer when it came to theater, museums, and zoos across the country.  She visited as many as she could in North America and some in Europe.  One of her favorite places in the world was the Edinburgh Zoo because they had a daily walk with the penguins.  Her other favorite was the San Diego Safari Park.

Barbara is survived by her two children; a son, Michael (Gidget) Stajduhar and a daughter, Susan Purdom. Grandchildren; Avery Purdom, Alexis Purdom, Khadija Purdom, Iain Purdom, Emma Stajduhar, and Hannah Stajduhar. Sisters-In-Law; Mary Stajduhar Hinrichs and Kathy Gaynor-Robers; nephews, Brian (Kate) Kaminski, Jennifer (Andy) Myers, Daniel Hinrichs, David (Lindsay) Hinrichs,  Katie (Tom) Gulino, Tina (Chris) Andersen, Shane Barrettsmith and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; John and Mary Rennie and her ex-husband, James Stajduhar.

At her wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral, but she wanted everyone to have a wonderful time at her favorite Scottish restaurant, Balmoral.  Please toast her with a wee drink of rum.

Donations can be made to "4 Greyhound Racers " care of the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com