Kristina (Kris) Judith Barker, 58, died May 14, 2022, in Chicago. She was the wife of The Rev. Dr. Lee Barker.
Kris was born March 5, 1964, in Arcadia, California, the daughter of Judith and Peter Starman, and attended the University of California, Irvine, where she received a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 1986. Professionally, Kris was a film and stage actor before going back to school to become a landscape architect. She received her Masters in Landscape Architecture in 1996 from the College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
She and Lee Barker were married in 1999 in Pasadena, CA, where he was senior minister at Neighborhood UU Church. In 2003 he was named president of Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, where he served until 2019 and is now president emeritus.
Upon moving to Chicago, Kris established her own landscape architecture firm. Specializing in residential design, her talents were sought after by clients throughout the midwest, even as she continued to take on projects in California. Over the years, Kris received numerous design awards from the Illinois American Society of Landscape Architects.
For many years, Kris was an active member and leader in the First Unitarian Church of Chicago. She was a member of the Board of Trustees and chaired a ministerial search committee.
She is survived by her husband; their daughter, Ava; her mother, Judith Edwards; her sister, Kimberly Starman; and brother-in-law John Diklich. A memorial service was held June 8, at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago.
Memorial donations may be made to Neighborhood UU Church, 301 Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena CA 91103. UURMaPA will contribute to the Church.