Barbara Kyros (nee Galanis), of Arlington Heights, Illinois, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer on October 18, 2026. Barbara was born on December 7, 1946 in Gary, Indiana to the late John and Cleo Galanis. She grew up in Merrillville, graduated from Indiana University and was a proud Hoosier who attended Indiana’s first appearance at the Rose Bowl in 1968.

That same year, she met the love of her life, Nick, in Chicago through mutual friends. He asked her out for the very next day. His interest was proven by his three-state journey – driving from Chicago to pick her up in Indiana to take her to a friend’s lake house in Wisconsin. Despite him showing up in an aqua mock turtleneck and matching pants, she was smitten with his sense of humor by the time they reached the state line. Nick and Barbara were married 57 wonderful years, marked by mutual love and respect, travel adventures, winters in Naples and Barbara being the constant best audience for Nick’s jokes. She cherished her in-laws, the late Estelle and Peter Kyros, and considered her beloved mother-in-law her second mom. Estelle treated Barbara like the daughter she never had.

Barbara’s greatest and most joyous accomplishment was raising their family. She was the most loving and selfless mother to her two daughters, Nicole (Jon) Greifenkamp of Western Springs and Stacy (Mike) Hineline of Arlington Heights. She was a listening ear, a place of no judgement, a world-class giver of advice and a safe place to land. Her heart grew as she reveled in her role of Nana to her grandchildren, Charlie (22), Will (20) and Gracie (17) Greifenkamp and Nick (13) and Lauren (11) Hineline. She was a present and hands-on Nana and there for all the big occasions in their lives, from first haircuts to sporting events, always with a smile and a batch of homemade pumpkin muffins. She wrote and published a children’s book called Will’s Whistle and dedicated it to her beloved grandchildren.

Barbara worked for the Village of Arlington Heights for 28 years. She was a lifelong lover of music, from blasting Donna Summer on the record player while she cleaned the house, to attending live concerts with her daughters and enjoying her diverse playlists that would accompany her daily walks. She adored leisurely Sunday dinners with her family. She was an avid reader who loved a good book under a cozy blanket. She was often known to skip dinner in favor of a good ice cream treat from DQ.

She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Dennis Kyros and her brother Michael Galanis and survived by her sister-in-law Sue Galanis and nieces Michelle (Steve) Blush and Rebecca (Kyle) Kleist.

Barbara always loved to go out for a nice lunch with friends – whether it was Nick and her daughters, college friends, the high school crew in Florida, the Princeton Pals, the Greek Girls and many others. Instead of sending flowers or donating to a charity, please consider going out for lunch with someone you love in Barbara’s memory. Have a meaningful conversation. Linger at the table. Order the French fries. Send Nick, Nicole or Stacy a picture of your happy faces, think of her and smile.

A wake will be held at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be Monday, October 26, 2026 at Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2501 S. Wolf Rd., Westchester with an optional Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Entombment private.

Arrangements entrusted to Chris J. Balodimas, Funeral Director. For info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.