Barbara Ann Mika (née Paley) passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 4, 2024 in Huntley, IL the presence of her loving husband, Jack Niemiec, after a short illness and hospitalization.

Barbara was born on July 1, 1945. She was the daughter of Edward and Lillian Paley and the younger sister of Audrey (Paley) Hunter. After graduating from Fenton High School she went on to pursue her passion for interior design by enrolling at the Harrington Institute of Interior Design. She married the late Larry Mika in 1970 and they opened the successful interior design firm Mika Design, Inc. In 2016 she married Jack and moved to the beautiful island of Kauai. During her years on the garden island she acquired the extensive knowledge needed to become a docent at the Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden, became an accomplished ukulele player, and in typical “Barb” fashion, charmed a whole new group of people who came to be her dear and beloved friends.

Barbara was talented, she excelled as a designer, artist, singer, musician and gardener, she loved theater, entertaining, travel, Rummikub and Solitaire. She had style and panache and could make even the simplest things (like a ham sandwich) beautiful and special, but was at the same time down the earth. However, above all these wonderful traits, the best single word to describe Barbara would be "selfless." She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Niemiec and his sons Todd (Julie), Craig (Kate) and Neal (Shannon) and grandchildren Sara, Grace, Kendall, Cameron and Treston; her niece Gayle (Kurt) Haglund and their children Matthew (Lexie), Erik (Erin), Andrea; nephew Ed (Linda) Hunter and their children Madi and Casey; her sister-in-law, Darlene LoPresti and her children Chad LoPresti, and Jennifer (Paul) DeYong and their children Adriana, Josiah, Corinne and Audrey.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Boulder Ridge Country Club, 350 Boulder Drive, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156.