Barbara A. Gillen

Barbara Gillen, age 82, of Topeka, KS passed away October 28, 2014 in Munroe Falls, OH.

She was born July 25,1932 to Freda West Dean and Harold Dean in Topeka and married Gerald Gillen in 1952. Barbara retired from the Kansas State Legislature in 1995 after 25 years of service and beginning in 1998, enjoyed 16 more years working sessions of the State of Kansas Legislature - the last few as a Receptionist. Barbara was loyal and committed to friends and family. For many years, she was active with the Curtis Junior High and Topeka High School reunion committees. She was admired, respected and loved by many, and will be painfully missed.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Gerald; son Michael Gillen; and brother Jack Dean, she is survived by daughter Patti (David) Edwards; daughter-in-law Sherrie Weller (Rodger); and sister-in-law Verna Mae Dean. She was a doting grandmother to Craig (Sarah) Gillen, Brent Gillen, Jonathan Winter, Megan Winter, Erica Edwards and Michael Edwards; and adoring great-grandmother to Nolan Gillen, Luke Gillen and Anthony Pascal.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Davidson Funeral Home in Topeka, KS. Visitation will be one hour prior to service 1:00-2:00p.m. Interment will be at the Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Summa at Home - Hospice, Memorial Fund for Barbara Gillen, 1077 Gorge Blvd, Akron, OH 44310.