Obituary of Barbara Chandler Rayson

Barbara C. Rayson nee Chandler passed away Saturday January 9, 2021 in Pompano Beach, Florida at age 96.

Barbara was born on September 12, 1924 in Oak Park, Illinois. A brilliant student, Barbara skipped two grades and graduated from Oak Park High School at age 16. Upon graduation she was awarded the Rochester Prize Scholarship to attend the University of Rochester. She graduated from the University of Rochester Phi Beta Kappa in 1945 at the age of twenty. She married Leland H. Rayson, also a U of R graduate, class of 1944, that same year. Leland was a Naval Officer who served in the Pacific Theater in 1944-45. He then attended law school at Northwestern University. Besides his legal career   Leland served six terms in the Illinois General Assembly. After WW II Lee and Barbara settled in Tinley Park, Illinois where they raised their seven children. Barbara's husband Leland predeceased her in 2001.

Ann Bess Rayson of Honolulu, is a retired Associate Professor of English at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, who earned her Ph.D. at Northern Illinois University in 1973. John of Pompano Beach, Fl. Is also a U of R grad who attended law school at Case Western Reserve University, graduating in 1974. In addition to his legal career, John served five terms in the Florida House of Representatives and was thereafter elected the first Mayor at large in the 100 year history of the City of Pompano Beach. William Graduated from UMass, Amherst and is a retired letter carrier for the USPS who retired to Dayton, Ohio.  Anthony graduated from Governors State University as Valedictorian and was a supervisor for the Illinois
Tollway Authority. He lives with his wife in Monee, Illinois. Barbara's son Leland predeceased her in 2019. Thomas is a retired Pathologist who attended Medical School at the University of South Carolina. He lives with his wife in Captain Cook Hawaii. James is a retired carpenter who lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida. From this large family of one daughter and six sons, Barbara became a grandmother, a great grandmother and a great, great, grandmother.

Lee and Barbara retired to Port St. Lucie, Florida in the mid-1980's. They had married in Fort Pierce right before Lee was called into active duty in the US Navy. Barbara was lively and engaged with her family throughout her life. She was an avid traveler and in her late eighties travelled to the North shore of Oahu to attend her granddaughter Sarah's wedding and then to her grandson David's wedding in Lac du Flambeau, Wis. At age ninety she trekked to California for her grandson Daniel's wedding. In her mid-nineties Barbara went to her granddaughter Chloe's wedding in Nevada and to her grandson Colin's wedding in Milwaukee. She was an amazing woman who was indefatigable. She was the beloved matriarch of this large family and she will always live in our hearts.

Barbara was a strong woman who found time to serve her community while she raised seven children. She was one of the founders of the Tinley Park Public Library. She served as a school board member on the Bremen Township School Board. She taught English at Stagg High School. In 1969 she earned an M.A. in Counseling Education from Northwestern University and graduated in the same class as her daughter Ann who also received her M.A., in English. Following her M.A Barbara continued her post graduate work at the University of Chicago and in 1974 became a clinical psychologist. She learned sign language and specialized in Mental Health Services for Deaf Adults and Children (MENDAC), at Michael Reese Hospital. After Lee and Barbara moved to Florida, Barbara became a Guardian Ad Litem for 9 years in Port St. Lucie in her 80's. Barbara was a voracious reader, enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid scrabble player. Her mother Emma Chandler may have been the greatest baker in the world. If so, Barbara was a close second. In short, she did it all. Barbara was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and
a happy, great, great grandmother. She was also a proud and progressive Democrat.

She will be buried next to her husband Leland at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Palm City, Florida.

L C Campbell is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Barbara Rayson Funeral Zoom Service

Time: Jan 21, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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