Barbara Hale

Barbara Ann Hale, age 71, of Denver Colorado, passed away July 14, 2022 surrounded by her family following a brief illness.

Barb was born September 6, 1950 to William and Georgia Hale and spent her early life in Concord, California along with her older brother, Michael. She moved with her family to Oak Park, Illinois when she was in grade school. She spent her adolescence in the Chicago area and attended Oak Park River Forest High School where she met many lifelong friends.

Barb studied at Brooks Institute of Photography and was one of the first two women to attend and graduate from the previously all-male school. She moved to Colorado in the early 1970s and opened a commercial photography studio with former classmates.

She met her husband, Allan, in 1975 and they became close friends over several years before marrying in October 1978. They enjoyed taking road trips across the country where Barb felt most inspired by the roadside kitsch and landscapes across the Midwest. She began developing her original photography into a commercial card line called Scenic Overlooks. Simultaneously, she taught photography at Colorado Community College in Denver.

In May of 1984, Barb and Al welcomed their first daughter, Jessica Leigh. The twins, Stephanie Elspeth and Amanda Louise were born in August 1986. Barb was a dedicated mother and continued to develop her art skills by branching into printmaking in the late 1980s. She was mentored by E.C. Cunningham while attending the printmaking program at Metro State University in Denver. Eventually, she began teaching printmaking at Metro and earned her Masters of Fine Art from Azusa Pacific University. Barb was an avid creator, delving into many artforms including assemblage and bookmaking. Barb loved nature and drew much of her inspiration from the landscape around her. She taught for over 15 years.

Within the community, Barb participated in many art organizations and workshops and had her own art studio at her home where she hosted many of her friends. She was an involved member of her church, South Fellowship, for nearly 40 years and maintained many close relationships there. More recently, she enjoyed traveling around the country with Al, visiting her grandchildren, and sharing time with her many friends.

Barb is survived by her husband, Allan Schmeling and three daughters, Jessica Amann, Stephanie Johnson, and Amanda Schmeling; her close cousin whom she considered a brother, Greg Gibson; her son-in-law, Daniel Johnson, and two beloved grandchildren Kipling and Ivy Johnson. She was a wonderfully caring, generous, and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She will be missed by many.

A celebration of life service will be held at South Fellowship Church located at 6560 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80121 on Sunday, August 28th at 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to One Good Turn - Cafe 180, a mission Barb enjoyed and regularly supported. You may donate online at https://www.onegoodturn.com/cafe-180

Please share memories of Barb and condolences with her family by signing the Tribute Wall above.