OBITUARIES

Although Barbara Wilson passed away in 2002, ASPB did not receive complete information until July 2004. ASPB is grateful to Barbara Wilson and her mother, Helen Nygard, for remembering ASPB's Education Foundation as a charitable and memorial bequest.

Barbara Jean Wilson

Barbara Jean (Nygard) Wilson was an active member of ASPB from January 1982 to December 1999. Her academic career began at the University of Minnesota–Duluth where she graduated summa cum laude in 1970. She earned a master’s from the University of Minnesota in 1972. In 1987, Barb earned a Ph.D. from Michigan State University under the supervision of Ed Tolbert working on the transport of glycolic acid by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. People who overlapped with Barb at MSU still remember a Christmas party at her house where she served Norwegian specialties. After working at the USDA, Barb went on to become a forensic specialist and worked for the Illinois State Police in Chicago and, toward the end of her life, near her home in the Joliet criminal labs.

Daniel Gandor, also a forensic scientist, worked with Barbara in Joliet. He writes the following:

“Barb Wilson began her career with the Illinois State Police in April 1995 when she began training as a DNA analyst at the Research and Development Laboratory in Springfield. She was assigned to the Forensic Science Center at Chicago in December 1996, where she conducted DNA analysis on well over 100 sexual assault, homicide, battery, and burglary cases. She testified as an expert witness specializing in the field of forensic DNA on many of these cases within the Cook County Circuit Court System. In addition, she lectured frequently on the topics of forensic science and DNA analysis for local colleges and high schools, as well as legal organizations, tirelessly promoting the field to students and professionals alike.

She transferred to the Joliet Forensic Science Laboratory in June 2002 where she was to head a DNA outsourcing project, a state-wide project designed to reduce the mounting backlog of DNA cases being handled by the Illinois State Police. She worked in this capacity until her death in October of that year.

Barb leaves behind her a legacy of professionalism and of warm friendships. Her dedication to the field of forensic science was evident in every aspect of her work, whether it be on the lab bench, the witness stand, or the lecture hall. And her desire to kindle genuine friendships and a warm working environment with all her peers is forever recalled in the minds and hearts of those who knew her.

The image of Barb appearing for work each morning dressed in her characteristic kaleidoscope of flamboyant colors always brings to mind the floral gardens for which she had such a passion. In her memory, and out of respect for her love of nature, we at the Joliet Laboratory planted a Prairie Fire Crab Apple Tree on the front lawn of our facility, along with a plaque bearing her name. It is a living tribute we believe she would have appreciated, and a small symbol of how much we appreciated her.”

According to Barbara’s mother, Helen Nygard, her daughter was a “very independent woman.” She had a warm sense of humor appreciated by friends and colleagues. Barbara kept a portrait of a carrot in her kitchen to remind her of the work she did while in the Department of Agriculture. “She never gave up,” said Helen. “She worked almost right up to the end. She was only in the hospital a couple of weeks.”

Barbara was an active member of her church where she played the flute, served in the altar guild, and was the South Campus Coordinator. Her mother reports she was always musical, learning the flute in the 5th grade. Indicative of her independent nature, Barbara loved to play the flute so much that she’d practice with the band in college, even though she wasn’t in the band or in any music classes. She led a full and active life, enjoying music, travel, animals, and gardening. Her friend and co-worker Julie Glasner says Barbara’s love for plants was fully evident as her friends wondered what to do with the 50-plus plants she had in her home. Julie recalls Barbara was definitely a “battler with a strong will to live.” Despite chemotherapy and medical procedures, Barbara commuted to Chicago on the train and then made the long walk to work. It was only in her last year that friends were able to convince her to transfer to the nearby Joliet Lab.

Barbara Wilson died October 9, 2002, at the age of 54, at Edwards Hospital in Naperville, Illinois. Memorials are preferred by the family to Zion Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. In her will, Barbara left contributions to 10 charities, including ASPB. Barbara’s mother decided to honor her daughter’s memory by also making a generous contribution to the ASPB Education Foundation in July 2004.

Mary Lou Guerinot
Elizabeth Daerr