Barbara Reece

Barbara Swaim Reece, 84, of Crystal Lake, passed away April 13, 2015 after a courageous battle for life.
The cause was cancer, which she faced as she lived her life; with quiet resolve.

Bobbie, as she was known to all, was born on August 22, 1930 in Evanston, IL to Helen & Earl F. Swaim, raised in Evanston, IL, Buffalo, NY, Washington D.C., and attended Miami University in OH. Upon returning to the North Shore to live and teach, she met the love of her life and future husband. On July 10, 1954 she married Peter V. Reece of Glencoe, IL.

Bobbi taught grade school at Ravinia School in Highland Park, IL and St. Thomas School after moving to Crystal Lake in 1959 to plant roots, make a home and raise a family. There, she created a house full of children, laughter and a deep commitment to her Catholic religion.

Early on in Crystal Lake, the ever itinerant Bobbi was integral to the continued success of the local children’s theatre group Storybook Playhouse Theater, excelled as a Cub Scout Den Mother and was involved with AAUW (American Association of University Women). For many years, Bobbie led the CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program at St. Thomas Church and continued to teach First Communion classes until her recent illness. An avid reader, Bobbi read several books a week, enjoyed craft making and always kept the police scanner operable. Bobbie remained active post-kids through work in printing and program management for elderly folks.

Bobbi is survived by her children, James (Toni) Reece, Mt. Penn, PA, Richard (Jackie) Reece, Crystal Lake, IL, Gary (Terri) Reece, Crystal Lake, IL, William (Deeta) Reece, Chicago, IL, Keleigh Reece, Woodbridge, VA; grandchildren, Jesse Cronan, Madison Reece, Chris (Natalie) Reece, Jonathan Reece, Teagan Reece, Corie Small Makila, Corbie (Gorn) Dimopoulos, Kadie Mayer, Nicole (Paul) Young, Sophia Reece, Ayla Reece, Jabari Dukes, Jaleel Dukes, Ayana Dukes; and great-grandchildren, Jayden Dimopoulos, George Dimopoulos, Jake Dimopoulos, CJ Mayer, Jackson Young, Tessa Makila, Travis Makila and Eve Reece.

Bobbi was preceded in death by her husband, her sister Carol Bowen and her parents.

Visitation will be Monday, April 20, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30am, Tuesday April 21, 2015 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. Burial will follow in Crystal Lake Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bobbi’s name may be made to JourneyCare Hospice Foundation 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010 or St. Thomas Church 272 King Street Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

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