It usually took Barbara Starzynski a minute and a half to turn a stranger into a friend.
Her personable and affable spirit communicated much more than friendliness – she was genuinely interested in people. She made an effort to befriend everyone, learn their family and stay current on family affairs.
Barbara passed into the Lord’s care Friday, April 28, 2017 from her Mansfield home. She was 80.
Born Barbara Ann Grube on Jan. 1, 1937 in Crafton, Pennsylvania, to Charles Francis and Bertha Elizabeth (Baumbeck) Grube, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1959.
She was a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, North Central Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists. She was first licensed to practice pharmacy in Ohio on Jan. 10, 1961 and received recognition for 50 years of faithful service on Feb. 4, 2015.
It was there at Duquesne, that she met another pharmacy student, Edmund Starzynski, and the two were married in 1960.
The couple moved to Mansfield from Wooster in 1969, and Barbara worked as a registered pharmacist more than 30 years, first with the former Peoples Hospital, then as Director of Pharmacy for Richland Hospital. She retired from Kroger Pharmacy on Lexington Avenue. At work, as well as everywhere, Barbara knew everyone!
Barbara was a member of Resurrection Parish, where she served on the funeral luncheon committee, and was a member of OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center Mansfield and was a member of the Sociables.
Remembered for her beautiful smile, Barbara enjoyed sewing and quilting, and gardening.
She is survived by her son Eric Starzynski, of Conifer, Colorado; daughter Lisa Starzynski, of Lakeland, Tennessee; grandson Evan Bradfute, of Lakeland, Tennessee; brother Charles Grube Jr., of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Edmund in 1996. Also deceased is a sister Julia Heuler.
The Starzynski family will receive friends Wednesday, May 3, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where a Christian Prayer Service will follow at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in Resurrection Parish, 2600 Lexington Avenue celebrated by the Rev. Father Nelson Beaver. Burial will follow in Mansfield Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The James Cancer Center’s Cancer Strategic Support Fund, and may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Barbara’s family. Share a memory with them – or watch Barbara’s tribute video – online at: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/obituary/barbara-ann-starzynski/
