Barbara E Oster

June 18, 1941 - June 22, 2025

Barbara Elizabeth Oster—known to those who knew and loved her as “Barb,” “Mom,” “Nana,” or “the one with the long red nails in animal print”—passed away suddenly on the evening of Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the age of 84. She went out the way she lived: unexpectedly.

Born on June 18, 1941, in Lincoln Park, Michigan, to Joseph and Gladys Steiner, Barbara lived a life full of fire, humor, and fierce independence. Barbara graduated from Lincoln Park High School and then spent her young adult years fluttering between Lincoln Park and Treasure Island, Florida, where she began building the vibrant and unconventional life that became her trademark. In the 1970s, Barbara eventually settled in Florida with her then-husband and young daughter Krista, claiming she was finally over the Michigan winters.

Life in Florida was where her love affair with sunshine, strong drinks, and stronger opinions was “set free”. She worked for many years at the iconic Tiki Gardens in Indian Shores, where she built lifelong friendships and eventually welcomed her daughter to the Tiki Gardens crew for her first teenage job. When Tiki Gardens closed, she brought her signature sass to Pirate’s Cove Mini Golf and later to Sporty’s Sports Bar in Redington Beach, always finding ways to stay close to the beach, the people, and the lifestyle she loved.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Steiner and Gladys Steiner (Hecox), her brother Dennis Steiner, and her adored sister Beverly Jo Calvin (Steiner). Barbara will be greeted on the other side by her dearly missed loved ones and members of The Beach Boys.

Barbara’s memory and legacy of dirty jokes, dry humor, sarcasm, and quick wit will live on through her loving and patient daughter Krista Gonzalez (Hendricks), her favorite (and final) son-in-law Robert Gonzalez, her beloved grandchildren Trevor Joseph and Taylor Morgan, and her great-granddaughter Charlotte Ayden—as well as her many nieces, nephews, and family friends.

Barbara’s daughter, Krista, bore the brunt of Barbara’s peculiarities—for better or for worse—but Barbara saw her daughter as her greatest accomplishment and demonstrated this by never shying away from boasting of her daughter’s achievements. Barbara’s love for her daughter was always marked with an “I love you more,” and she always meant it.

As a grandmother, Barbara always made both of her grandchildren feel seen, heard, and important. By always offering her undivided attention to her grandson as he rattled off shark facts or explained in detail the intricate world of video games, or to listen to her granddaughter vent about any and everything (with particular interest in any discussion about the mysteries of men and dating) - Barbara met her grandchildren with love, eager enthusiasm, and sarcastic commentary when possible. Barbara’s granddaughter Taylor, is beyond grateful that Barbara was able to meet her first and only great-grandchild, Charlotte. This moment brought four generations together in one room and will be cherished forever.

Barbara’s style was bold, and her jokes were often wildly inappropriate and unforgettable. Barbara didn’t fit the mold of a “sweet little old grandma,” and she wouldn’t have wanted to. In her later years, life slowed down a lot, but her fire never went out. She swapped big nights out for Nutter Butters and MASH reruns, stayed loyal to the TV guide schedule but flirted with any male nurse that had the pleasure of entering her room, and never stopped delivering her signature wit.

Barbara never cared much for planning, especially when it came to this. She wasn’t one for talks of the end or ceremonies, so in keeping with her famously untraditional style, there will be no formal service. Instead, we invite those who knew and loved her to honor her in ways she would have appreciated: with laughter and a stiff drink. Tell a joke. Wear animal print. Paint your nails red. Eat a Nutter Butter. Do something a little crazy in her name.

She lived loudly. She loved fiercely. And she is already missed deeply.

I love you Mom

We love you Nana

All the days and all the ways