Nanette Barber

Nanette Herbuveaux Barber passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024, in Green Oaks, Illinois. She was 98 years old. Nanette was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 20, 1925, to Jules R. Herbuveaux and Jeannette McNulty Herbuveaux; she was the second of their three daughters. She grew up in Wilmette, Illinois with her sisters Dawn and Judith. Nanette graduated from New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois in 1943 and continued to MacMurray College, Jacksonville, Illinois where she graduated in 1947 with a Liberal Arts degree. After graduation Nanette worked for the author, screenwriter, Ben Hecht. She spent many years traveling and living with the Hecht family while assisting Ben with all his work including Marilyn Monroe’s autobiography, The Front Page, Scarface and many more. Nanette was reacquainted with her childhood classmate, Thomas H. Barber of Glencoe, Illinois in 1956, they fell in love and married in 1957. Nanette and Thomas were long time residents of Glencoe, Illinois, where they raised their four children. With Nanette’s deep love of books, she decided to become a librarian at the Northbrook Public Library, she continued to work there for 43 years. Nanette never forgot a person’s name. Her friendships were forever. Everyone that met her loved her. She was kind to all, especially the children she helped over the years at the Northbrook Public Library. She had her wit and sense of humor until her very last day. She will be missed by many. Nanette is survived by her 4 children, Thomas, Mary (Joseph) Kiepura, Wendy (David) Lee, Christopher (Meghan) Barber, her four grandchildren, Daniel Barber, Josiah Barber, Philip Lee, Julie Barber and her sister Judith Sullivan. Nanette was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas (2022) and sister, Dawn Cobb (2017). Private family services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois. Arrangements by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home in Libertyville, Illinois. For information: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Art Institute Chicago, 312-499-4111, http://www.artic.edu

Nanette Barber

August 20, 1925 - July 8, 2024