Barbara Ann Naylor (nee Finley)

Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Naylor (née Finley), 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Born in West Frankfort, Illinois, Barbara was the beloved daughter of Joseph Finley and Carmen Stephens. She was a proud graduate of Royalton High School, Class of 1956, where she earned the distinction of Valedictorian.

Throughout her life, Barbara was known for her warmth, generosity, and dedication to others. From 1967 to 1973, she worked in the Admitting Department at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, where she genuinely enjoyed helping people and making them feel welcome during difficult times. During the 1980s, she worked at Printer’s Ink, the Hallmark store located in Jefferson Square Mall, where her friendly smile and caring nature made lasting impressions on customers and coworkers alike. She was also a teller at Herron Security Bank in Royalton.

Barbara was deeply involved in her community and proudly served as President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Eastside AC. In that role, she devoted countless hours to organizing events and celebrations for members’ children, including visits from Santa Claus, Easter Bunny festivities, and many other cherished gatherings that created lasting memories for local families.

Family was the center of Barbara’s life. She treasured time spent fishing with loved ones in Springfield, Illinois, and on Anna Maria Island, Florida. She enjoyed playing bingo, was an avid reader, and never missed an opportunity to sing silly songs that brought laughter and smiles to her grandchildren. Barbara also enjoyed trying her luck on the slot machines and always looked forward to trips to the casino with family and friends. Known for her generosity, warmth, and welcoming spirit, Barbara never met a stranger. She loved helping others, opening her home to family and friends, and making everyone feel like they belonged. Her kindness, strength, and vibrant personality touched countless lives and will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Finley and Carmen Stephens; her husband, William Thomas Naylor; her great-granddaughter, Penelope Gomez (Ryan); her stepdaughters, Tamara Gouslin, Sandra Naylor, and Deborah Klein; her sister, Faye Blomstrand; and her brothers, Joseph Finley and Doyle (Mickey) Finley also preceding her in death is her stepmother Maxine Finley (nee Hicks)

Barbara leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: her children, Wendy Abbott, Joseph Abbott (Tonya), Mitchell Abbott (Maria), and Tracy Luna (Fernando); her stepchildren, William Naylor Jr. (Sally) and Belinda Tielbur; her grandchildren, Alison Gomez (David), Colin Hooks (Alex), Jacob Luna, Logan Luna, Sammi Luna, Melissa Huffman, and Tara Murphy, Robert Klein Jr., Trisha Gillaspie, Jon Klein and Austin Klein; great grandchildren: Marley Vocu, Maximus Gomez, Isla Hooks, Matilda Hooks, Christopher Huffman, Autamn Huffman and Landon Lavely, along with many extended family members, dear friends, and all whose lives were touched by her kindness.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held with visitation on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm with a chapel service to begin at 12:30 pm at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL. Cremation will follow in accordance with her wishes.