Dr. Barbara Betker-McIntyre was born on March 6, 1954 in Detroit. She was the daughter of Ralph and Mary Gloria Betker and a sister to Beverly, Nancy and Lori. She displayed artistic ability at an early age continuing throughout her life. As a major contributor to the field of Grief and Loss, she was influenced by the loss of her father at the age of 16 due to a construction accident and later her sister, Nancy, age 21, succumbing to leukemia.

Barbara enrolled at Schoolcraft College to study art and met her soon to be husband John McIntyre. The two got married in 1975 and moved to Allendale, to attend what was then William James College at Grand Valley State. Barbara went on to study Art Therapy, receiving her PhD from Union Institute in Cincinnati. She also studied abroad such as the Jungian Institute in Switzerland. She pioneered an Art Therapy Program at Munson Hospice in Traverse City for children and teenagers dealing with grief and loss of loved ones. She lectured in England, France and Denmark on Art Therapy and Grief and Loss. She worked with TCAPS and surrounding school districts, had evening groups, and started a plot at the Children's Garden at the TADL. Barbara held a teaching position with Wayne State University and was a past President of the Michigan Art Therapy Association. She frequently presented at the American Art Therapy Conferences around the US and published articles in the American Art Therapy journal. Barbara also wrote a children's book along with her friend and colleague, illustrator Mike Henderson entitled "Jungle Journey" which encapsulated the loss of a matriarchal elephant and the grief and loss process, which helps children with loss issues. The book has been shared freely around the world, most recently being published in Africa and translated into Swahili.

Barbara also had a private counseling practice as she was a Licensed Professional Counselor, accumulating over 35 years of experience prior to her passing and sixteen-month battle with Glioblastoma. She loved gardening, swimming, hiking, travel and the arts. Traveling was a passion amongst her and her family and they travelled numerous times to Europe and throughout the United States. During the summer, you could frequently find the McIntyre family traveling around Leelanau County, especially out to Empire Beach or Otter Creek to spend a day at Lake Michigan. Barbara loved the National Parks and had hoped to visit and see as many as possible along with her husband. In addition to art, she loved music. The McIntyre house often would have one of her favorite CDs playing, from classical, to Motown, to classic rock, it could all be heard there, and she would often be humming, singing or dancing along. She was an avid supporter of the arts in the community attending many concerts. She hardly ever missed a concert or recital that her son Ian, a professional clarinetist, was a part of. She loved animals and had several dogs and cats throughout her life that she adored.

She is survived by her husband John and their son Ian. She will be sorely missed. In her memory, an art exhibit will be held Spring 2022, exhibiting her artwork, especially of 2020, Bird Paintings, with any donations and proceeds to provide funds to continue printing Jungle Journey, Grieving and Remembering Eleanor the Elephant in Africa for free distribution. More information, please email: traversepublishing@hotmail.com

Barbara was passionate about her profession and was concerned about counselors claiming to be a "Art Therapist." A true professional Art Therapist is educated and certified. Accept only the genuine as she will be remembered to all those she graciously helped with their Grief and Loss.