Barbara (Matje) Bufalini

Barbara was born August 31, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI.  She passed away peacefully June 22, 2018 in Barrington.

Barbara was born and raised in Milwaukee, and attended Holy Angels college prep high school on scholarship, where her world was expanded by nuns who believed strongly in education for women. She developed a love of reading, classical music and culture. Barbara briefly moved to New London, CT and worked as a librarian, to be near the US Coast Guard Academy where her first husband, Charles, was a cadet.  She later moved to the Chicago area with Carl, her second husband of 43 years, and enjoyed many years living and being active in the Evanston community.  In her late 40s, she returned to Loyola University to finish her undergraduate degree, and then earned a Master’s degree in social work. She went on to a rewarding career as a clinical social worker, serving clients at the Jewish Children’s Bureau and later in her own private practice, as well as teaching at the local community college. Barbara’s passion for social justice was obvious to anyone who spent time with her and she passed this passion along to her children and grandchildren. Barbara took great joy in the success of others and frequently encouraged friends and family to reach their greatest potential. She had a wide variety of talents: a wickedly dry sense of humor; excellent taste in fashion and home decorating; hosting delicious dinner parties; and keeping current on politics and current events. Barbara was loved and respected by her family, friends, neighbors and colleagues alike.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Lauren (late Robert) Dorman of Lake Barrington, Katherine (Mark Heinisch) Olive of Stratford, CT, and Elizabeth, (Joyce Conley) Otto, of Riverdale, MD; grandchildren, Zachary (Lindsay), Matthew, and Alexander Olive; and great grandchildren, Jackson and Machlan.  She was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Otto, and Carl Bufalini; and sister, Marcia Worth.

Services for Barbara will be held privately.

Memorial donations may be made to: Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work Scholarship Endowment, please make checks payable to Loyola University Chicago and mail to Gift Processing, 820 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, or donate at LUC.edu/giving.  Or, donations may be made to JourneyCare Foundation, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview IL 60025.