Barbara B. Flood, nee Burnett, age 94, of Niles, passed away December 1, 2022, at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington from complications of idiopathic lung disease. She was born in Evanston, Illinois, on October 1, 1928, to George and Jean (nee Wilson) Burnett, formerly of the Orkney Islands and Glasgow, Scotland. Barbara had fond memories of growing up on Central Street in Evanston with her fun-loving twin brother, James (Jimmy), her brother, George, and several life-long friends. After her marriage to Raymond Flood in 1951, she and Ray built their home and raised their family in Skokie, Illinois, where she lived for over 60 years.

During the Depression, Barbara’s mother moved Barbara and her two brothers back to Glasgow, Scotland, to live with aunts while her dad continued to work in the United States. Barbara graduated from Evanston High School and received an Associate’s degree in Accounting from Oakton Community College while her children were attending high school and college. She took great pride in her career as Business Manager for School District 72 in Skokie.

In her free time, Barbara was an avid gardener, bridge and other game player, and golfer. She was still walking nine holes of golf at age 91. Barbara loved to travel and treasured the 15 years she and Ray drove around the country in their custom Sportsmobile camper van, visiting nearly every National Park in the United States and Canada. She took an active interest in the stock market beginning in the early 1970s and enjoyed following the development and growth of emerging technology and biotechnology companies. While her innate Scottish blood and formative years during the Depression impeded her from spending on herself, her success in the market enabled her to support many of her favorite charities. A lover of music, dancing and Perfect Rob Roys with a twist, Barbara was always up for a celebration or party.

Beloved wife of the late Raymond J., Sr.; dear mother of Jean (David) Flood Unger of Athens, NY, Greg (Linda Korbus) of Seattle, WA, and the late Raymond, Jr.; loving grandmother of Bradley and Katie Unger and Megan and Ryan Flood; cherished great-grandmother of Colton Unger; fond sister of the late James and George Burnett. Barbara is also survived by cousins in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service and interment will take place on Saturday, December 3, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, where Barbara worked in the office as a teenager.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial celebration to honor Barbara’s long and full life at 12 noon on January 21, 2023. Please email Jean and Greg at [email protected] for details and to RSVP.

Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the National Parks Conservation Association, 777 6th St. NW Suite 700, Washington DC 20001; American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Dr. Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601; or Hope Foundation/JourneyCare Barrington Care Center, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010.

Funeral info:  847.673.6111 or habenfuneral.com to sign guestbook and to leave a condolence message.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Barbara B. Flood, please visit our Tribute Store.