Barbara D. Grady, Ph.D., died peacefully in her sleep Friday evening, October 19th, at her home in Brown County. She was born on February 24th, 1942, in Sedalia, Missouri, the only child of the Reverends E.D. and Dorothy Kretzinger. Her early years were spent in Bloomfield, Iowa. Her family eventually moved to Des Moines where she attended junior high and high school. Upon her high school graduation, Barbara went to work for Meredith Publishing/Better Homes and Gardens. She earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from Drake University, and was then awarded a fellowship into a doctoral degree program at Kent State University, where she focused her scholarship on the writing of D.H. Lawrence.
Following her move to Chicago during the 1970s, Barbara began working as a copy editor for Combined Insurance, where she eventually became editor of Pride Magazine, the corporate publication for Combined. She worked closely with W. Clement Stone and was a member of the National Speakers Bureau. During this time period, Barbara traveled throughout the United States and raised thousands of dollars for the prevention of child abuse initiative she developed through her groundbreaking philanthropic work at Combined.
In 1978, she met and married Michael Grady, and he survives. Michael and Barbara were married by her mother, the Reverend Dorothy Kretzinger, at their home on Lake Lemon. After their move to southern Indiana, Barbara completed her Ph.D. in English Education at Indiana University, and was hired as an English teacher at Bloomington High School North in 1985. She truly loved and treasured her job, and she was deeply devoted to her students, especially those in her Support Success and Gift and Talented classes. In 1991, Barbara was named Monroe County Teacher of the Year, in addition to numerous other awards, including repeated nominations for the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers publication and two international human rights awards. She retired from teaching in 2002 and went on to pursue her many interests. During her retirement and throughout her life, she never backed down from an adventure. She was an avid gardener, reader, pianist, and artist. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Her service will be Wednesday, October 24th, at 1:00 p.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Dr. Douglas Simpson officiating. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Memorials in Barbara’s name may be given to the Greater Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.