Barbara L. Meyers

I associate Barbara as "the energizing bunny!" I have seen Barbara come through her illnesses with courage, strength, and a positive attitude. I have said good-bye and mourned many a time only to learn Barbara had returned to work and her activities. Many years ago we had a great vacation to the Bahamas. She has her memories of the trip and I have mine! We also had great times at my Cape house with Margaret and Peter Tornabene. Barbara is a testament to putting one foot in front of the other,...

In January, I made my first visit to the Houghton Mifflin building following the merger with Harcourt. Barbara was one of the first people to pop into my office to introduce herself. I was immediately impressed by her energy, humor, and spunk. She offered me tips and information about the HM building and shared her company history with me. During every trip to Boston, I would look for Barbara and touch base with her. Barbara represented everything I love about many of the people in our...

The first time we worked together at Houghton Mifflin was on the handwriting font to use in our spelling books. I loved working with Barbara. I never thanked her enough for all the extras she did for me. I remember literally running into each other, more than once, at the stairwell corner of the 4th floor. No matter how many pressing problems on her desk, she always had a smile to greet you. We will all miss her.

Barbara's strength was nothing short of amazing. She always wanted to hear about what was new with you -- never wanted to talk about herself for too long. She was battling a terrible illness and yet I never once heard her complain or ask for sympathy. I will always remember her laugh and her smile. She had a genuine, kind spirit and was also very very tough. She was one of a kind and she will be terribly missed.

Barbara was one of the warmest kindest people I've met. Her sense of humor and interest in all of her HM colleagues was an inspiration.
She will be greatly missed.

I was lucky enough to work for Barb for a time, at Houghton Mifflin. She had such a big heart, and loved to have a good laugh. I will never forget the twinkle in her eye when she was making a joke. And I will never forget her big hugs and slaps on the back. She is one of the strongest people I have met, and will probably ever meet. She will be deeply missed.

Some people make the world better simply by being. Barbara was one of those people. I admired and respected her, at first for the tremendous love and care with which she treated her people and responded to others. Then, after I learned she was ill, for her bravery. She was a treasure.

Barbara, we miss you.

I'm going to miss seeing Barbara walking the halls of Houghton Mifflin, and coming by my office to talk about the Red Sox and Patriots. She was one of the toughest women I've ever known. I will miss her tremedously. She was the best. This world will never be the same.

Hello friends,
Do you suppose she really had a connection to the mob? Barbara made my sides hurt from laughing... so much fun, such a great person, always demonstrating concern for others, and never a complaint! I'm stunned because I never thought she would succumb. I am thankful for all the times her light shined on me. She was a person of great faith. What an asset to God's army in Heaven she will be for she was a true foot soldier during her time on earth.