Barbara Ouzts, at age 94, transitioned to her heavenly home on May 3, 2022, after a very long physical decline with Lewy Body Dementia (a Parkinson’s variant). In the end, she was trapped, not able to even speak or communicate despite her best efforts. She is now resting peacefully in the loving arms of God, reunited with all her loved ones gone before her, free of all her physical limitations.
In 1945, toward the end of WW II, Barbara assembled walkie talkies, then briefly attended FSU when it was called Florida State College for Women. She married Bill Ouzts in 1947, and for 35 years, she enjoyed transporting and helping with crafts for her blind friends at the Lighthouse for the Blind. For many years she served as a church librarian and helped with such office work. Throughout her lifetime, she generously donated 68 pints of blood, potentially saving many lives. She enjoyed bowling, but her favorite activity was eating out and spending time with family. She loved watching baseball early on and gradually followed all sports on TV, especially Tennis. She loved jigsaw puzzles and generously fed likely fits to her puzzle partner. She also loved SkipBo and other card games, and would let kids win without them knowing of her efforts. The grandchildren also loved her “junk food parties “.
She is survived by her two daughters Carol, and Grace with husband Patrick; five grandchildren and their spouses : Amy & Jeff, Alicia & Mathew, Ryan & Janey, Elizabeth & David and Rebecca & Brian, and thirteen great-grandchildren: Hannah, Joshua, Elizabeth, Sarah, Abigail, Morgan, Micah, Walter, Molly, Miranda, Cordelia, Richard and Sarah.
She was the last of her generation, one of six siblings. She was loved by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, her many nieces and nephews, all her friends, and caregivers over the last 15 years. We will miss her greatly, but we will never forget her generous spirit.
