Born May 31, 1925 in Toronto, Canada to Minnie and J.F. Clark Whalley. Wife of Joseph Ullman (died 1995) and long-time partner of Ronald Dean. Mother to Sara Cumming (Ian Cumming) and Katie Ullman (Daniel Wettstein), step-mother to Esther Ullman (Morley Witus) and Ruth Michelson (Paul Cockrell). She was also proud to be the grandmother of Eli (Alex), Leah (Dennis), Dan, Leora, Megan (Duncan), Graham, Emme, Eleanor, and Kobi, and the great-grandmother to the next generation.
Barbara attended Victoria College in the University of Toronto for undergraduate studies, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Toronto’s Botany Department, and later a PhD from the University of Michigan Department of Botany.
After starting a family in Ann Arbor, she and Joe moved out to Chelsea, added a menagerie of animals, and grew a large garden. She later moved into a home of her design, where she spent many years enjoying the company of family, the surroundings of wild-life and plants, and Ron’s companionship. Barbara’s interest in textiles led her to be a founding member of the Spinner’s Flock, a regional group with a shared interest in raising sheep and producing hand-spun wool. Barbara was also a member of the University of Michigan Faculty Women’s Antique Group for several years and an avid reader. She had a long-time interest in learning about the natural history and life of trees and she kept a sharp eye on the political front. She is remembered by friends and family for her artistic talents as well as her good humor and kindness and patience.
Barbara died peacefully on July 25, 2024. The family will have a private celebration of life. Anyone wanting to make a donation in her memory could consider one of her favorite charities: Best Friends Animal Society, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the National Audubon Society.
We would like to thank Arbor Hospice caregivers and Drs. Margaret Dobson, K. Thiran Jayasundera, and James Kleo Kleanthous for their care and kindness.
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