Barbara L Heath

On Friday, April 16, 2010, Executive Board Member Barbara Heath, who had served this Local as Treasurer from 1991-2005, passed away. In the “Bits and Pieces” article in our last newsletter, we reported that Barbara was recuperating from her many maladies and we hoped she would be back with us soon. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Barbara had taken a fall in early February when she left the Greater Louisville Central Labor Council Office, where she served as Secretary-Treasurer. After that fall, she experienced significant pain and mobility problems. The doctors finally discovered that she had suffered a spinal fracture when she fell and treated her surgically for that. She then went into rehab to try and get back on her feet. Rehab did not go well and her condition went from bad to worse. She was admitted to Norton Hospital with suspected pneumonia.

Her overall condition was too complicated and critical for her to make a full recovery. Barbara died at Norton Audubon Hospital surrounded by her loving family—each of whom she had spoken with, either in person or on the phone before her passing, to be sure they knew how very much she loved them.

Barbara is survived by her two sisters, Linda Jacobs (Garry); Madelle Gunter (Willie); sisters-in-law Juanita Heath and Mary Dillander; nieces and nephews Cindy, Lynn, Kitty, Rob, Margie, Donnie, Sherry, Scott, Larry, Heather, Nathan, Heath, Brad and Cheryl; great nieces and nephews Kiaya, Cameron, Cole and Sophia.

She is also survived by her CWA brothers and sisters and her Gold Card Club family.

Anyone who knew Barbara, knew that there was nothing you could ask of her that she would not try to accomplish. She served this Local, not only as an Executive Board Member, but as Secretary-Treasurer of our Retired Members’ Gold Card Club, long time Chair of our Community Services Committee , Chair of our Legislative Committee and a member of the Building, Budget, By-Laws, Education, Entertainment, Equity, Womens’, Membership, and Public Relations Committees.

While she had resigned as Co-Editor of THE JOURNAL, she was here every quarter with a committee of Retirees from the Gold Card Club helping to fold/ collate/ label the newsletter.

She was a volunteer for the Red Cross, Metro United Way, Letter Carriers Food Drive and The Kling Center, just to name a few. And, Barbara did not volunteer just to have her name printed in a program or to be applauded for her service. She gave of her time and talent because she truly enjoyed helping others.

She loved her Union and her Union will miss her more than words can say! But we will carry on because that is what she would want us to do.

- Mora McCreary