Barbara L. Anderson, 82, of Urbana passed away at 11:24 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral Services will be private.

Barbara was born on November 28, 1934 in Chicago to parents Donald J. and Marian (Armstrong) Lee. They preceded her in death. On January 26, 1957 she married James L. Anderson in Champaign; he passed away on August 22, 1996. Also preceding her in death was her daughter, Laura McBride.

She is survived by her daughters; Janet (Jim) Golaszewski of Urbana and Beth Anderson of Peoria, and her sister Leslie Lee of North Riverside. Two grandchildren; Philip (Kathleen) Prather, Ashley (Blake) Withers, two step grandchildren; Daniel (Jeanine) Golaszewski, Laura (Kevin Kurpiel) Golaszewski, two great grandchildren; Calvin and Hailey and her son-in-law, Robert McBride also survive her.

Barbara graduated from Parker High School and from the University of Illinois, class of 1957. She was involved with many organizations including C-U Spinner & Weavers Guild, Champaign - Urbana Stamp Club and the Urbana Tree Commission. She was the founder of HIPS, the first environmental recycling organization in Urbana. She also worked as the Urbana Township Tax Assessor. She was a previous member of the Champaign County Democrats, C-U Herb Society and the Oratorio Society.

She was a self-employed artist specializing in handwoven jackets, scarves, pillows, blankets and purses. Her artwork was sold in the Maple Grove Gallery in Door County and at fine art fairs and festivals over the years. She enjoyed all forms of fiber arts including spinning, quilting, crocheting and felting.

She was a freelance journalist who wrote for several periodicals including Barr's Postcard News, Linn's Stamp News, Scott's Stamp Monthly, Global Stamp News, Caratex Stamp News and Postcard Collector. She collected postcards, stamps, first day covers and playing cards. She enjoyed researching stamp topics and won several awards for her stamp exhibits with the Cornplex Philatelic, Cupex, Thamespex and Vapex. Barbara was a longtime member of the American Philatelic Society and a lifelong stamp collector.

As a journalist, she also enjoyed writing lively Letters to the Editor at the News Gazette on a variety of local and national topics.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society.