Barbara Rae (Bloustine) Gallas passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014, in Dallas.
A memorial service was held at Temple Emanu El on Sunday Jan. 12.
Barbara was born to Jay and Helen (Epstein) Bloustine in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 27, 1937. She graduated from Southwest High School in 1955 and lived in Kansas City until she moved to Sacramento, Calif.
She was always willing to help others and was loving and loyal to all of her many friends and family in Kansas City, in Sacramento, where she lived for many years, and subsequently during her last years in Dallas.
She was an active member of Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento where she was a dedicated worker for many years in the temple office. Barbara also was a talented party planner who put on many lavish affairs in the Sacramento area.
Upon returning to the Kansas City area, Barbara worked at Congregation Beth Shalom for 11 years, doing whatever administrative work was necessary to the success of the synagogue programming. As in Sacramento, she also planned weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and many other special events. Her plans were always very creative and artistic, and she was known for her gourmet cooking.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Bloustine.
She is survived by her three children, Michael Gallas of Rapid City, S.D., Lori Levy Gerard and Marcie Abrams both of Dallas; nine grandchildren, Justin Levy, Brandon Levy, Lisa Gerard, Lindsay Gerard, Megan Abrams, Joel Abrams, Charissa Gallas, Tamera Gallas and Samantha Gallas; and seven great-grandchildren.