Barbara Klingler Morgan

February 29, 1944 - July 31, 2024

 

Barbara Klingler Morgan died peacefully at her home in Long Beach, Indiana, on July 31.

She was born in Chicago on February 29, 1944 to Jack and Louise Crumbliss. Four years later she was adopted by her beloved stepfather, Joe Klingler.

After graduating from Glenview High School she attended Carroll College. Following her father’s death she returned to Chicago and began her career.

After working briefly at Avis, she began a career in advertising at Needham; soon after, she moved to NBC as a planner before becoming a salesman (as she self-identified). At the time of her retirement she was NBC’s highest-grossing salesperson, a remarkable success in a profession almost completely dominated at that time by men.

She was married to the late Bruce Morgan and stepmother to his five children: Amy, Lisa, Beth, Anita and Doug.

After her retirement from NBC she moved full time to Long Beach, where she met and married her loving life partner of 30 years, Joy Schmitt. She also acquired two new stepchildren, Megan and Jayson.

There she also became actively involved in a variety of civic causes, including Habitat for Humanity and municipal government in Long Beach. Barbara was devoted to her partner, her family, her dogs, her garden and developing her culinary skills.

Vivacious, unsentimental, devastatingly witty and possessed with an infectious laugh and sense of humor, she was an indomitable spirit and a true force of nature, as attested to by her many friends in Chicago, Long Beach and beyond.

She is survived by Joy, her stepchildren, many step-grandchildren and much extended family.

At her request there will be no memorial service. Memorial contributions can be made to Best Friends Pet Society or the Kamala Harris campaign.

To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com.