Barbara Jeanne Barczak Zima nee Stetz, died peacefully on the evening of Saturday, January 11 at home with her family surrounding her. Born in Brooklyn, New York on Sept. 27, 1935, she spent her childhood in Johnstown, PA, attended St. Casimir Catholic Elementary School, and graduated Johnstown Catholic Central High School Class of 1954. She worked as a secretary for an insurance company and later at Sanitary Dairy before marrying Edward Barczak in 1957.
Together Barb and Ed moved to Chicago after their first child, Karen, was born, with Sharon soon following. A son, Edward, came five years later, with daughter Mary arriving once they settled in the growing suburb of Schaumburg. While raising her family, she relished working with students as guidance counselor secretary at Jane Addams Junior High, finally retiring after thirty years. During that time, she welcomed Sharon’s children, granddaughter Jennifer and grandson Stephen. Her adored great-granddaughter Mayla arrived almost seven years ago to light up her life.
In November of 2001, Barbara married her soulmate Robert Francis Zima, eventually settling in Huntley. Together, they travelled the US and Europe, and delighted in hosting social gatherings and gardening. After Bob’s passing in 2017, Barbara spent her final years living with daughters Sharon, and then Karen. She enjoyed solving word puzzles, crocheting, doing jigsaws, and watching game shows and true crime television.
Barbara is survived by children Karen (John Culp), Sharon (John Satter), Edward Jr., and Mary (Aguilar), grandchildren Jennifer Williamee and Stephen Newby, and great granddaughter, Mayla Rose Czapko. Always a generous, loving mother who never missed a chance to be well-coifed and fashionable, she loved the color red and would be tickled if you wore it to celebrate her life this Friday, January 17. Visitation will be held at 1 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road in Huntley, with Mass following at 2 PM.
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Sorry to hear about the passing of a wonderful lady. Your mother taught me all I needed to know to be a guidance counselor secretary at Addams. May she rest in peace 🙏🏻
Sorry to hear about the passing of a wonderful lady. Your mother taught me all I needed to know to be a guidance counselor secretary at Addams. May she rest in peace 🙏🏻