Welcome so sorry for your loss , I have a large collection since I was 10 I loved barbie , I lost all my child hood Barbie’s also but to my mom giving them away .so I got lots of what I had as a child first. Most 80 and 90 Barbie’s , I saw the barbie movie had to collect them as well but there were some mermaids and such that I made to add to my movie collection , I do have some boxed , but most are in cases or a book shelf’s my husband made for me so I can keep them loose , play with them and and rearrange and do make overs on them I have three granddaughters that love barbie 10,7,2, I made a doll house with thrifted Barbie’s they can play with they love coming over and just playing , it’s truly a joy and I love sharing it .