Barbara E Kantack

Barbara was born in New York, NY on Sept. 16, 1932 to the late Helen and Claude Embler. Barbara went on to graduate from Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. A mezzo soprano, Barbara sang at the Stephen Foster Memorial in 1953. She was given the honor of singing many of Foster’s songs, including “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair”, as more than 2,000 people from across US were in attendance.

Barbara was a homemaker and teacher at Assumption and Christ the King Catholic School. Barbara enjoyed singing in the choir and teaching CCD at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She also had the pleasure of taking care of all of her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Barbara was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was known for her beautiful voice, sense of humor and love of children.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years Richard L. Kantack; sons Richard L. Kantack, Jr. (Teresa), Ronald Kantack (Elaine) and Andrew Kantack (Leila); daughter Cynthia Lewe (Christopher); grandchildren Lauren Dolman (Jon), Lindsay Burnett (Zack), Brooke, Blake and Bryce Kantack; great-granddaughter Finley Rose Dolman; brother Dr. Kenneth Embler, DDS (Alexis); step-grandson James Williams. Barbara was preceded in death by her son, Keefe Matthew Kantack, mother, Helen Embler and father Claude Embler.

The family would like to thank the following: Barbara’s nephew Stephen Fogarty for all of his help; Elaine Snyder, RN; Dena Howard, ElderCare Jax, for being there for Barbara.

The family is planning a private memorial to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home