Barbara Ann "Pinky" Adler

Barb was born July6, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois.  Like so many Chicago families, summers were spent in South Haven.  When Barb was 16, the family finally made the move to Michigan and she finished her last 2 years of high school in South Haven.  She returned to Chicago and attended Roosevelt University.  On her first day of classes, Barb made a new friend – the daughter of a family who owned a pink house in South Haven.

Barb married Ernest Adler in 1959.  They lived in Niles, Illinois and operated a small tailor shop in Chicago.  In 1964, they moved to South Haven and opened The Fashion Mart.  Barb was the first female shopkeeper in town to wear slacks (always a moment of feminist pride!)  In 1975, Barb decided it was time to finish college so she began taking classes at Lake Michigan Community College.  She earned her associates degree and later her bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University.  She opened a private counseling practice, was a licensed marriage and family therapist and specialized in divorce mediation and child custody issues.  She later taught classes at Michigan Dunes Correctional Facility, Davenport College, and Lake Michigan Community College

With a ready smile, Barbara was a good listener and a good friend and through her practice was a source of support to many.  She was always ready for a party, knew everyone and was always ready to volunteer for community events.  Over the years she was active in many professional organizations including League of Human Services, Michigan Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and AAUW.  She served as director of Region IV Senior Nutrition Services and was co-founder of Youth & Company, a founding member of the Van Buren County Child Abuse & Neglect Council, a board member of the First Hebrew Congregation.  She is on the Wall of Distinction at Western Michigan University (1964) and proudly served on the South Haven City Council.  But of all her activities, all of the committees and events she was a part of, Barb took greatest pride in being on the original board of directors of the AL-Van Humane Society.  Animals were always part of the family at the Adler house.

The greatest joy in Barb’s life was her grandson, Zane, who nicknamed her Pinky.  She loved her family, loved South Haven and loved watching each sunset from the porch.  Teased by her father and called, “The Flying Nun,” Barb loved to travel internationally for humanitarian projects and pleasure, get dressed-up for special occasions and just talk with people.  Even as her health declined, she always had her sense of humor and couldn’t wait to sit on the porch and see who was driving by.  Each year for 47 years, her birthday was celebrated during Fireworks Night, an event Barb always looked forward to because it was an opportunity to spend time with special people in her life.

Pinky is predeceased by her husband, Ernie Adler, who died in 1984, her parents, Sarah and Joseph Moret, brother Bernard Moret, nephew Howard Moret and niece Janet Woods.

She will be remembered and loved by her daughter, Karyn Adler Fasel, “best son-in-law ever,” Jim Fasel and beloved “best grandson ever,” Zane Fasel.  Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Lois Moret, nephews Larry (Wendi) Moret and Alvin Ferdinand, many cousins, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews and special friends and family both in the US and in France.

Special thanks to those of you who took the time to stop and visit with Barb when she was on the porch, who called, sent cards or sent e-mails asking how she was.  Your visits and kind thoughts meant more than her words could tell you and were a great source of support to the family.  To the strangers who stopped to say hello or bring their dog up on the porch so that she could pet it – you shared love for which there are no words and we will always be grateful.

Please join us in a celebration of Barb’s life from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home.  Graveside services will follow at 2:00 PM at the First Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in South Haven.  Feel free to wear something pink or bright in honor of a life well-lived and loved.

Donations in honor of Barb can be sent to the Al-Van Humane Society, PO Box 421, South Haven, MI 49090. 

The family will receive friends at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at the Adler Home.