A planned anti-violence walk went on as scheduled in Garfield Park Wednesday, one day after its organizer was gunned down in a horrific tragedy.
Barbara Deer, 51, was shot and killed inside of her home in the 3500 block of West Arthington Street on Tuesday night.
Her death was ruled a homicide, while an autopsy determined that her son, 23-year-old Kaleb Deer, died by suicide.
On Wednesday, a stunned community gathered to mourn after the tragedy, which claimed the lives of the wife and son of the late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer, who died in 2024 of complications after a double lung transplant.
Barbara’s sorority sisters joined neighbors and friends on the walk, celebrating her life and legacy.
“Would’ve ever thought that today the walk day, turns into a memorial service. This is just heartbreaking,” her sorority sister Karen Archer said.
“We thought it right to do the walk in her honor today . because if Barbara were here, she would be with us walking,” Rev. Shari Johnson added.
Barbara’s life was always one of service, and it took on a new urgency when her husband Dennis died in 2024, leaving behind a widow and three children.
His former colleagues at the Cook County Board expressed their sympathy with a moment of silence on Wednesday, and Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued a statement after the tragedy.
“Today, we mourn alongside the Deer family as they endure another heartbreaking and unimaginable loss with the passing of former Commissioner Dennis Deer’s beloved wife and son,” she said. “The Deer family has long been well known in the community for their compassion and steadfast commitment to others. Their presence and service touched countless lives. There are no words that can make sense of such pain, but I hope the surviving family members find strength in the love that surrounds them.”
Stephanie Love-Patterson, a family friend of the Deer’s, said both Dennis and Barbara worked with a group aimed to help women and children who were victims of abuse.
“It’s a deep loss for me, but also for the community,” she said. “If anybody needed anything, they were there.”
Dennis and Barbara also fought for more mental health programming at the state and federal level, and constantly were pushing for more services for Cook County residents, according to friends.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
