Barbara was born in Buffalo, New York in 1930. She moved to Long Island (Brooklyn, W. Babylon, and Valley Stream), and lived in New York for 76 years before coming to Arizona.
She was married to her beloved husband, Phil, 55 years before he passed away in 2005. He made her laugh every day they were together.
She was an amazingly talented woman. She was a wonderful mother, artist, singer, led three 4-H groups at the same time, and had a craft store for 25 years. She designed sets for plays and carnivals at Holy Name of Mary and performed in some of the plays, also. She was involved with many religious activities, which included TEAMS, a bible study group she ran, Divine Mercy, and a bereavement group. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, the Catholic Church, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, which she shared with those who surrounded her.
She is survived by her loving children: Mary (Robert) Geras, Margaret (Phil), Peter (Marianne), and Barbara (John) Buscemi; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and brother, Joseph (Nancy) Porretto, plus nephews and nieces.
Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; son, Christopher; brother, Richard, and half-sister, Marion, whom, regrettably, she had never met.
She had many life-long friends, and is survived by her long-time friend of over 70 years, Dorothy, and her new friends, Sharon and Hilde.
Services will be held on Friday, November 22, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3801 E. Greenway Rd, Phoenix. Rosary will be said at 11:00 a.m.; the funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Another service will be held in the spring at Holy Name of Mary in Valley Stream, NY followed by a burial beside her husband at St. Charles in Farmingdale, NY.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara would like masses said in her name. You may donate to The Servants of Mary, 1439 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn, IL, 60402; The Capuchin Franciscan Friars, P.O. Box 809, Union City, NJ 07087, or the church of your choice.
“Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven
where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down
upon us to let us know they are happy.”
Anonymous
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18