Barbara K Verzi

VERZI, Barbara K. Kalamazoo Passed away Monday afternoon, February 15, 2010 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. She was born on April 5, 1919 in Hackensack, New Jersey, the daughter of Thomas and Feliksa Klockowski. As a young woman, Barbara worked in an exclusive beauty salon in New York City; it was in the city where she met her future husband, Martin A. Verzi. They married on April 8, 1943 in Columbia, South Carolina. A son, Charles, was born to them in 1944; he died in 1966. Because Martin made a 20-year career of the Army, Barbara was able to travel extensively in Europe, visiting Switzerland, Holland, England, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Luxembourg, and living in both Germany and France for three years each. In Berlin, Germany during the Occupation after World War II, 1946-1949, Barbara experienced firsthand the Berlin Airlift. She and Martin also lived in Verdun, France for 3 years, 1957-1960. Twin daughters were born to the couple in 1952. Barbara volunteered for the Red Cross in France and in South Bend, Indiana, where the family lived from 1962 - 1966. Barbara accompanied her husband to Kalamazoo in 1966 when he became President of Borgess Hospital. They lived in Kalamazoo for the remainder of their lives. Barbara's love of travel continued, and in 1986 she visited a niece who was living and studying in Kenya. An avid golfer, bridge-player, and quilter, Barbara also read voraciously in American History. She will be most fondly remembered, however, for the loving care she extended to her daughters, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren; it can be said without exaggeration that she helped raise three generations of grateful family members. In 2005, Martin died and Barbara spent the last years of her life at The Fountains in Kalamazoo, where she enjoyed the comradeship of many friends. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Verzi-Kruzel; her son-in-law, Tom Kruzel; her daughter, Martha Faketty; her granddaughters, Jennifer Faketty, Rebecca Graff, and Catherine Faketty; great-grandchildren, Anastasia Ruggles, Zoe Graff, Micah Graff, and Caden Macleery; sisters, Valerie Hurd of North Carolina and Elizabeth King of Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on the family from 4-7 PM on Thursday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. Funeral will be at 11:30 AM on Friday at the funeral home with interment in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Those wishing to make lasting gifts in Barbara's memory are asked to remember the Sisters of St. Joseph or Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Barbara's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family.