In Memoriam, Barbara McKale

Sometimes people go to funerals and memorial services out of a feeling of obligation, but that was certainly not the mood of the family and many friends at the service of Barbara L. McKale last week.

Many people said to me before and after the service that Barb was one of the warmest, kindest people they had ever known, and they were extremely sad, mourning her sudden death just before her 77th birthday.

Her long-time minister, Rev. Jon Haug, from the St. Peter Lutheran Church recalled many positive and touching moments with Barb and asked how many people had chuckled at her humorous statements. Most every hand was raised instantly.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a major in Spanish from Albion College in 1959 and then getting a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1960, Barb married David McKale at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansing. Their marriage lasted for almost 54 years, and, according to Dave, it was full of joy and deep satisfaction.

Barb taught Spanish for 35 years here in Battle Creek and even took groups of students to both Spain and Mexico to work on their language skills.

Dan Hornaday, one of her thousands of students, said what many of them seemed to feel: “Barb McKale was my favorite teacher of all time. A fine lady who made an impact on all of her students.”

I got to know Barb only over the past decade, for she took a number of my classes in the Kellogg Community College’s “Institute for Learning in Retirement.” She fit right in, for my classes have all been about literature and music, and she truly loved both fields. 

When I saw Barb this last spring, she was excited to hear that I was going to teach a class on George Gershwin, saying that he was one of her favorite composers and she wouldn’t miss my class for anything. Well, most unfortunately she died just a couple of weeks before the class began.

Over the years I often played melodies on my violin for my class, and she liked my playing and suggested to her husband that I be asked to play for her memorial service.

Her husband proposed four pieces, all of which seemed to be just what she would have wanted, for they were “Summertime” and “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Gershwin, “Spanish Eyes,” which was appropriate for a Spanish teacher, and a favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

A touching and most appropriate anonymous poem was included in the program for her service:

God saw she was getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So he put His loving arms around her

And whispered “Come with Me.”

She suffered much in silence

Her spirit did not bend

She faced her mental pain

With courage until the very end.

With tear filled eyes we watched

Her suffer and fade away

Although we loved her deeply

We could not let her stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands put to rest.

God broke our heart to prove to us,

He only takes the very best.

I close with a beautiful quote by Dave: "Barb, my soul mate, had a zest for life and also many attributes one of which was courage. Though she knew her situation, she never once complained and always had that infectious smile for all that came to visit her as well as for those who took care of her. I am truly blessed to have spent almost 14 years with this beautiful and gracious lady."