Barbara Evans

URBANA - Barbara Susan Evans died on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, from complications related to a stroke.

She is survived by her beloved sister, Janet Evans; husband, Gary Ambler; son, Sam Ambler; daughter-in-law, Ryann Elder; and grandsons, Henry (6) and Oliver (2).

Barbara was a deeply devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and her final years were marked by joy thanks to her grandsons, Henry and Oliver, whom she saw often and loved with an open heart.

Born to Edwin and Margaret (Schertz) Evans in 1952 in Chicago, Barbara grew up in Prospect Heights before attending Eastern Illinois University, where she received a bachelor's degree and did graduate work in experimental psychology. She minored in theatre arts and met lifelong friends, including her future husband Gary, whom she married in 1980.

After moving to Champaign-Urbana in 1977, Barbara devoted much of her time, skills, and talents to The Station Theatre, her artistic home.

As one of the longest-serving members of the Celebration Company there, Barbara helped build a lasting and unique theatrical community that inspired, nurtured, and touched countless lives in C-U and beyond. She acted in over 50 productions and provided less-visible, always crucial support offstage to keep the theater running on countless others. Some of her favorite roles include those she played in The Glass Menagerie, Into the Woods, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Macbeth, The Laramie Project, and W;t. Of every role she ever played she stated, "All of them were rewarding. I have been so lucky."

Barbara worked as a typesetter for Precision Graphics in Champaign for many years before moving to her role as Assistant Production Manager for the University of Illinois Press. She retired in 2012.

While Barbara cherished the familiarity of Champaign-Urbana and the comforts of the home she made in Urbana, she also loved to travel with her husband, Gary. Her favorite destinations included New York City to take in shows, Paris to enjoy local cuisine, and her beloved Saugatuck, Mich., whose lakeshore she was able to visit one month before she passed.

Barbara was an insatiable reader and used her Urbana Free Library card regularly. She loved the written word and never suffered a misplaced comma lightly. The legend on the tote bag hanging from the doorknob in her room read, "Literacy and Justice For All." She will be remembered by her family and friends-as well as the many actors, artists, and audiences whose lives she impacted-for her generosity, talent, love, and empathy.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. at Channing-Murray Foundation on the University of Illinois campus, 1209 W. Oregon St., Urbana.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Barbara's memory to Eastern Illinois Food Bank.

Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.