By SUSAN KLEIN

Having lived a full life, Barbara Lipke was many things to many people. In addition to wife, mother, educator and author, she was also a storyteller. Her beguilingly gentle telling style would erupt into something bolder and humorous, delighting her listeners and showcasing her considerable skills.

Barbara hosted storytellers from far and wide at her home in Newton and here at Windy Gates, and she was an ever-present volunteer for all sorts of storytelling events, working behind the scenes as well as taking center stage. Her work on behalf of the art form of storytelling spans a broad spectrum, not only in New England, where she focused much of her stage work, but far and wide with her literary and audio work.

Her book, Figures, Facts and Fables, Telling Tales in Science and Math, which is the rare source guide for using stories in math and science, her recordings of autobiographical work on the subject of a lifetime of summering on the Vineyard, and her willingness to champion emerging storytellers has earned her a place in the American renaissance of storytelling.

Though somewhat outspoken and not one to belabor a point, she was, indeed, one of the kindest people I’ve known. Because she cared so deeply for the art form and for the storytellers themselves, and because she was a friend to so many, Barbara’s passing is keenly felt by us all.

Susan Klein is a professional storyteller who lives in Oak Bluffs, and coauthor of the recent book Martha’s Vineyard Now and Zen. Barbara Lipke died on Jan. 3.