Barbara Kazmierczak

Barbara Kazmierczak, age 68, passed away February 11, 2026, at her home in Newnan, Georgia, surrounded by her husband, Dan and daughters, Jeanie and Margaret. She had reached the end of a long journey with pancreatic cancer.

Barb was born February 16, 1957, in Squantum, Massachusetts to Dr. and Mrs. B. Laurence Shalit.

She attended flight school at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. After graduation, Barb flew for several commuter airways and People Express Airlines — where she and Dan started dating. She was among some of the first women to fly commercial airliners, piloting Boeing 747s on long-haul routes internationally for Continental.

Barb was a talented skydiver who helped set several formation records in the ‘80s and had 2,500 jumps to her name. She taught herself how to waterski, joined a local club, and won several amateur championships in Alabama and Georgia.

In addition to being a talented seamstress, Barb was an award-winning painter. Her artwork featured multiple times in the annual art and photography contest issue of Lake Martin Living and was selected for the cover in 2022.

Barb was an avid traveler, voracious reader, adored wife, and cherished mother.

She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. B. Laurence Shalit and her husband Dan’s six siblings.

Barb is survived by Dan, Jeanie, and Margaret; her mother, Helen; brother, William and his wife, Linda; nieces and nephews; and many friends.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held at 11:30am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the chapel of Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home, 135 Senoia Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:00am-1:00pm.