Barbara Joan “Barb” Blakney, 91, died peacefully at noon on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center in Rockford with her family at her bedside.

Barb was born December 25, 1934, in Waterbury, Conn., to Alfred and Madeleine Ashmore.

She married Franklin Winans on January 3, 1953, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. They shared their lives together until Frank’s death on October 15, 1989. Barb married Roy Blakney on November 14, 1992. He preceded her in death on September 20, 2011.

Barb is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Mark) Miller of Rockford, Illinois, and Tina Davis of Saltillo, Mississippi; her son, Tim (Debbie) Winans of Fort Pierce, Florida; and her son-in-law, Edward Glennon of Caledonia, Illinois.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ariel (Nick) Foti of Naples, Florida, Sierra (Josh) Domino of Belvidere, Illinois, Kellen Loos of Tupelo, Mississippi, Tara Burgess of Boise, Idaho, Tim Winans of Fort Pierce, Florida, and Brandon Loos of Portland, Oregon; as well as eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank Winans; her second husband, Roy Blakney; her daughter, Sherri Glennon; and her great-granddaughter, Gianna Foti.

Barb was employed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. One of Barb’s proudest moments was being nominated by the U.S. Selective Service System to serve on a draft board in case of an emergency. She served proudly for more than 15 years.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and being the quintessential “snowbird,” owning a condominium in Fort Pierce, Florida, where she enjoyed time with friends and family – not to mention the fact that her complex’s pool temperature was 82 degrees. She seemed to respond with pleasure when family members called from Rockford to report that the day’s high temperature was 24 degrees, with seven inches of snow to shovel from the driveway.

Barb had an artistic side and especially enjoyed painting. Working primarily in watercolors, she painted mostly seascapes during the time she spent at her condominium in Florida. Her original works remain treasured by her family and displayed in their homes.

Barb liked playing cards with friends, although one of her favorite games was called “Spite and Malice.” She took it seriously, contemplating every move as if negotiating world peace.

Being born on Christmas Day meant Christmas dinner always ended with a birthday cake. There was often some confusion when it came to gift-giving: “No. Don’t give her THAT one. That’s a birthday present. That’s for later. Give her THIS one instead.” But her loved ones always made sure Barb’s birthday was never an afterthought, and she always said being born on Christmas was a gift as well.

Barb was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday August 27, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery in Rockford.

Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory in Rockford is assisting the family with arrangements. To share memories and condolences online, please visit, www.fitzgeraldfh.com.