Barbara Beatrice McNamee (nee Heath) passed peacefully into her eternal life on August 23, 2021, in Stronghurst, IL. surrounded by her family. Born in Oquawka, IL., on December 31, 1929, to Sadie G. Heath (nee Pullen), Barbara lived and worked in the Henderson County area her entire life. Barbara married William "Nub" McNamee on August 16, 1947, in Gladstone, IL. They were married nearly 41 years at the time of Numb's death in 1988, and together they had four children. A quintessential grandma, Barbara loved taking care of the generations of children in her family, including all of the animal children invited into the family throughout the years. There was always room for one more at Nana's house and she especially enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren! She was well known in Oquawka for her fantastic cooking, especially her homemade pies. She was a member of St. Andrew's Catholic church (now closed) and she enjoyed many years of participating in the annual Christmas Bazaar with the ladies of The Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed crocheting, bingo, cooking, shopping, decorating at Christmas time and making sure all of the feral cats in the neighborhood were well fed and sheltered. Barbara is survived by her children Kathy (Randy) Tracy of Oquawka, Illinois, Greg McNamee of Burlington, Iowa, and Jana (Steve) Chwalisz of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; a special son of her heart, Victor Stoneking of Oquawka, Illinois, her grandchildren, Charlie (April) McNamee of Curlew, Washington, Mandy (Dave) Trafton of Oquawka, IL, Bryce McKinney of Port Washington, Wisconsin; Justin McNamee of Burlington, Iowa, William McNamee of Burlington, Iowa, Katherine Chwalisz of Buffalo Grove, IL, and Jonathan Tracy of Oquawka, Illinois. Barbara is also survived by nine great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She is preceded in her death by her husband, Nub; her daughters, Georgia Lynn Wilcox and Linda Bush; her grandsons, Aaron Wilcox and Chad McNamee; her mother Sadie Heath; her siblings, Geraldine and Everett; and two special children of her heart Dick Stoneking and Janice Ator.
Per Barbara's wishes there will be no visitation and cremation rites have been accorded. The family will gather for inurnment at Oquawka Cemetery on Monday August 30, 2021 at 11:00 am. Anyone wishing to honor Barbara may do so by making a donation in her name to the Henderson County Humane Society.
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