Barbara J. Calabrese

Barb Calabrese was an extraordinarily warm human being, loving wife of 52 years to Ray Calabrese, and mother of five daughters: Prudence, Catherine, Angela, Michelle, and Christine. Lover of people and all living creatures. She touched lives all along her journey. She gave us a heroic model in her tenacious battle with cancer.

Barb understood the value of sacrifice. She raised five daughters who became five strong, wonderful women. She worked as a legal secretary in several major law firms and one large company. Only after Barb was sure the girls were going to be successful did she choose to go back to school full time to earn her bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University. Barb graduated Summa Cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. After graduating, Barb and Ray moved to San Antonio where Barb worked in the health professions doing significant work as a health coach. When Barb and Ray moved from San Antonio to Wichita, Kansas, Barb worked quietly behind the scenes copyediting Ray's doctoral students' dissertations. Each student who graduated under Ray's guidance never knew the debt they owed to Barb. She continued to do the same work when Ray took a position at Ohio State University. It was her way to keep it quiet and let Ray bask in the sunshine. She applied her amazing copying editing skills to Rays publications and books. He told all who listened, "She is the wind beneath my wings."

More importantly, Barb maintained a childlike joy of life and astounding affinity with animals. In Wichita, where Barb and Ray lived near a pond, she'd name the wild geese ducks and call them to her by name to be fed. They knew a gentle soul and good heart and gathered around her as if she were Saint Francis calling and feeding them. When she was in the company of any of her fifteen grandchildren, she moved into their world as if she were one with them, laughing, becoming involved in their games and silliness. Her words, which they will all remember, when calling them on their birthday were, "Take a bite for me."

Her smile, sparkle in her eyes, laugh, love of life, and gentleness were all informed by her deep faith in a loving God. She taught those who know her how to live and love. Ray always called her Babe, his precious wonderful Babe. She was his best friend, sidekick, and soulmate.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2016, with 7:00 p.m. Rosary at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

MASS

THURSDAY

AUGUST 25, 2016

10:00 A.M.

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

20523 HUEBNER ROAD

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.