Barbara Kirk Obituary

Barbara Jean Kirk, 84, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on Friday, December 2, 2022. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Ralph Thomas Thompson and Frances Albright, and her sisters Joan Thomas and Dolores Wolf. She is survived by her stepbrothers, Bob Beasley and Jim Beasley, sons, Mark Kirk and Scot Kirk, stepsons, Joe Kirk and Art Kirk, daughters in-law, Sarah Kirk and Kay Kirk, her four grandchildren, Jasmine Duff, Allison Mayberger, and Claire Pendleton, and Judy Napolitano and her five great grandchildren, Azalea Musch, Annabelle Mayberger, Violet Duff, James Mayberger, and Lucy Mayberger.

Barbara was born on September 29, 1938. She worked at International Travel Associates and went on to own her own travel business, B. Kirk Enterprises. Over the course of her life, she traveled to 56 different countries and immersed herself in their cultures. When Barbara wasn’t traveling, she was heavily involved in the community. She loved Downtown Des Moines and served as the Vice President of the Des Moines Downtown Neighborhood Association and on the Board of Directors for the Des Moines Art Festival.

Philanthropy was part of Barbara’s identity. March of Dimes, the Drug Abuse Hotline, and Backpack Buddies were charities close to her heart. She was an avid reader and talented tennis and bridge player. Barbara loved spending time with her family, friends, and cats, Mercedes and Benzy.

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