Barbara Ann Rooney

Barbara Ann Rooney, age 80, was born June 30, 1934 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, a city close to Pittsburgh. Her parents were Ann and Tom Meagher. She had an older brother, Tom, who died several years ago.

Barbara moved to Detroit with her mother and brother to live with relatives while her father was in the Air force during World War II.

During the war, her mother worked long, demanding hours and Barbara and her brother ,Tom, lived at boarding schools for several years. After her mother started a small business she bought a house and Barbara and her brother lived with her mother again.

She finished high school in 1952 and went on to nursing school. While in school in Flint, she met her future husband, Tom, at a friend's wedding. Barbara and Tom were married September 28, 1957 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church.

They lived and worked near Buffalo, New York for about two years, then returned to the Detroit area. They bought a home in Fraser, Michigan in 1959 and lived in the same house since then.

They raised a happy, loving family of five. Rae Ann (Roger) Kaly, Thomas (Ruth), Patrick (Annette), Mary Frances (Richard) Percy and Ann Marie Rooney.

There are seven grandchildren - Dominique (Kevin) Skidmore, Michael Kaly, Emily, Marie, Olivia and Sean Rooney and Mary Catherine Percy.

Barbara loved the Nursing Profession especially caring for elderly patients in a nursing home.

She loved her church and made three pilgrimages to Holy Land. She visited Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee and many holy shrines. Visits to Rome, Egypt, including the pyramids and to Greece, including Corinth, were part of the side trips.

She enjoyed squirrels, raising big sunflowers, playing pinochle and telling corny jokes.She loved dogs and had several. The greatest of these was Chester and she certainly loved him the most.

In her later years, Barbara suffered from diabetes, heart trouble and very bad pain from an earlier injury to her back and shoulder. She also had very severe pain during her last illness.

Barbara died in the Hospice at McLaren Hospital in the early evening of March 17, 2015, following an operation for complicated gastrointestinal problems.

Visitation for Barbara will take place Friday, March 20, 2015 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with a Rosary at 7:00pm at Kaul Funeral Home 35201 Garfield, Clinton Township, Michigan.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 9:00am with an Instate at 8:30am at St. Ronald Catholic Church 17701 Fifteen Mile, Clinton Township, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen or Gleaners Food Bank would be appreciated by the family.