June 29, 1954-August 18, 2026
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
On August 18th, 2022, our beloved mother, sister, friend, wife, colleague, and person, Barbara Ann Spreadbury passed away after a long and valiant fight with ovarian cancer.
To know Barb was to love her, with her infectious smile, calm demeanor, great sense of humor, and the ability to always know what to say in the moment, no matter what the moment was. Her personality was even brighter than her vibrant red hair, and she brought her unmatched wisdom, grace, and beauty wherever she went, both professionally and personally. Barb was born on June 29th, 1954 in the small town of Norway, Michigan in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan as the middle child, but only daughter of Irene and Charles Kavalew.
From day one, Barb was conscientious, bright, and loving to all that knew her, always being one step ahead of everyone else to ensure everything went smoothly and perfectly, whether it was a client contract or a meal plan for the week. She was brilliant, always putting others first, and unafraid to break gender barriers but in a way that was classic Barb - cool, calm, and collected. She completed her undergrad degree, and then, while working full time in hospital administration, completed her MBA at the University of Loyola - Chicago. From then on, she strived to be a leader in healthcare quality and safety improvement at organizations like SSM Healthcare in St. Louis Missouri, Baylor Healthcare System, Children’s Health Corporation of America, Safe & Reliable Healthcare, Vizient Inc, Kaufman Hall, and so many more. She became a voice that everyone stopped and listened to, leading healthcare quality improvement initiatives across the country, and while at SSM, Barb oversaw the efforts that led to that organization's becoming the first health care recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the nation.
In 1996, she married her complementary partner in Bill Spreadbury, who brought occupations such as photographer, artist, hot air balloon pilot, and race car driver to the table, but always said that his greatest accomplishment in life was being Barb Spreadbury’s husband, because Barb was just that special of a person. A perfect ying-and-yang, they traveled the world together as Bill flew his balloons, while Barb ensured that everything stayed perfectly managed in the quiet way she always did, no matter if it was in the desert in Jordan or in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. In 1997, Barb & Bill welcomed their only child together, a daughter who they named Cassidy, who became the light of both of their lives. Soon Barb added horse show mom to her extensive resume, following Cassidy across the country while she competed with their beloved horses, all while still working full time and managing the household, because Barb could do it all.
Unfortunately, Bill lost his life unexpectedly in February 2022, after a long battle with a rare skull-based cancer only four months after Barb was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021. Despite all of this, Barb remained steadfast in herself, her skills, Cassidy, and her faith, which brought her and Cassidy even closer than they already had been. Barb was always a strong believer in divine timing, and despite the struggles she was encountering, she looked at Cassidy and said “God sent Hunter to you now, because he knows you need him”. And as usual, Barb was right. Cassidy met her now husband, Hunter James, in 2021, just before Barb’s diagnosis and Bill’s passing, and he and his family took not only Cassidy into their family immediately, but Barb as well. Hunter moved in with Barb and Cassidy in 2024, and the three (plus the dogs) became a special trio, enjoying Wine Down Thursdays at their local wine & spirits shop, trying new restaurants across Kansas City, and random movie nights when they all felt like spending a night in. The James’ Family loved both Barb and Cassidy as they were their own, and that was something extra special, even allowing Barb to pass away, again with such poise and grace, on their beautiful farm, full of rolling hills that flow over the Missouri River.
Barb’s life will forever continue on and be memorialized by Cassidy & Hunter, Cindy & Frank James, Peyton & Cal James, Jesi & Jed Thomas, her two beloved brothers and their wives, Dale & Susan Kavalew and Dave & Peachy Kavalew, their loved ones, Bill’s sister, Priscilla, and all of those in the extended family and colleagues & friends who were basically family. To know Barb was to love her, and that does not change in her passing.
In correlation with Barb and Bill’s personalities, she did not want a funeral, but rather a celebration of life on the lake that her and her brothers grew up on in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with some drinks, Pasties, caprese salad, some good bourbon, a boat ride, and endless laughs. The celebration of life is being planned for Summer 2027, and we open the invitation to all who wish to celebrate Barb. Please contact Cassidy for details and to be added to the invitations list at cassidy.spreadbury@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, Barb would greatly appreciate if you supported her love of animals and donate to the following rescues:
KC Pet Project: https://kcpetproject.org/donate/
Animal Welfare Institute: https://awionline.org/donate/
