Post from: Ute Roesner

My daughter Jessi and I met Barbara seven years ago

My daughter Jessi and I met Barbara seven years ago when Jessi was a fourth-grader at Purple Sage Elementary. Barbara had been invited by the school librarian to talk to the fifth-grade students about the art of writing mysteries. At that time Jessi had already read Barbara's first book, Writers of the Purple Sage, and was allowed to join the fifth-graders during Barbara's presentation. We were both very excited to meet a real author, and it was love at first sight! From that time on, Barbara stayed in touch with us, and we saw each other on a regular basis. She had a way of captivating her audience, be it at a reading or at a lunch date with my children and me, that was simply fascinating. She could tell stories like nobody else. One of her greatest gifts to us was that she put our family in one of her books. I still brag about it! My entire family, especially Jessi and I, feel very blessed to have known her. We will never forget her, and her sudden and tragic death leaves a big scar in our hearts. We are heart-broken! Barbara, wherever you are now, keep telling your stories! We love you!
Ute, Jessi, Wolfgang, Franzi and Kevin Roesner, Austin, Texas