Barbara Lynne Webb

Barbara Lynne (Christenson) Webb passed away early Sunday morning on November 23, 2025, in Traverse City, Michigan. Many of her family members were with her when she went to be with her Lord. Barbara was a loving wife to her husband Todd and a devoted mother to Henry and Lucy.
Barbara was born in Livonia, Michigan on August 31, 1971. The daughter of Ken and Carol Christenson grew up in West Bloomfield in a close-knit, Lutheran family. Together with her sister Kathy and her brother Bob, Barbara spent many days growing up in the church and school community of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walled Lake, Michigan, where they fostered a very strong faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Her parents were a central part of Barb's life, and they helped to instill in her an unwavering moral compass and solid work ethic. These qualities, along with her love and compassion for others, were solid foundations of her character.
From 1985 to 1989, Barbara attended Marian Catholic High School in Birmingham, Michigan, a sister school of Brother Rice Catholic High School. Here, she made friendships with many people that would last throughout her life.
In 1989, Barbara attended The University of Michigan. In 1990, she met her future husband, Todd Webb, at a friend's party where Todd was playing in a band. Together, Barbara and Todd grew inseparable during their time at Michigan. They would marry in May 1993 and spend their last college year living together. Barbara and Todd both graduated in May of 1994 and moved to Birmingham, Michigan to begin a new life together.
In the summer of 1997, Barbara and Todd moved to Chicago, Illinois where Barbara enrolled at Northwestern University, working towards a PHD in Performance Studies. Throughout her education years, Barbara earned a BBA and MAC in Accounting from The UofM, a Master of Arts in English from Wayne State University, and a PHD in Performance Studies from Northwestern University.
Barbara wrote her dissertation from 2000 through 2003. During this time, she gave birth to her son Henry on September 9th, 2000, in Evanston, Illinois. She managed to (very successfully) balance the rigors of writing a complex humanities dissertation while raising a new-born baby. Shortly after graduation, her daughter Lucy was born June 17th, 2004, in Chicago, Illinois. Barb's family came first, and she always led the way in family activities for all, including meals, travel, and especially in attending local Chicago events and activities. Both Henry and Lucy developed a strong love and connection for Chicago because of Barb's efforts to teach them about its people, history, and culture. Barbara's most cherished moments of her life were a result of the time spent with her immediate and extended family members, as well as her friends. She always valued the relationships that she had with her family and friends, and she was always thinking of her loved ones, even when she wasn't physically with them.
Barbara re-entered the accounting profession in 2005. After her tenure at a high-profile family office in Chicago, she joined the tax department of top Chicago CPA firm, Miller Cooper. She progressed quickly through the ranks and was ultimately elevated to tax senior manager.
In early 2020, Barbara joined national CPA firm MGO and was the co-founder of the Chicago office. Barbara quickly gained experience as a tax leader in the emerging cannabis industry. Barb's unique expertise and ability to solve complex tax issues led to her promotion to national tax cannabis leader and partner in 2022. She was respected and highly regarded as a top tax expert in the cannabis industry. She had the ability to explain complicated tax matters, and clients appreciated her innovative solutions, creativity and big picture approach.
Barbara was an excellent and attentive mentor to her team and colleagues. Barbara knew how to put things into perspective and would always point out that the sun would still rise in the morning. Her spark, sense of humor, and kindness will never be forgotten.
Barb is survived by her husband Todd, son Henry, daughter Lucy, mother Carol, sister Kathy, brother Bob, mother-in-law Sandy, father-in-law David, brother-in-law Paul, sister-in-law Natalia, brother-in-law Brett, and sister-in-law Linda. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews including Conner, Noah, Grace, Evelyn, Lydia, Caroline, and Annabelle.
She is preceded in death by her loving father Ken. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.