Barbara Bader

Barbara Bader passed away quietly on Dec. 19 2013. Barbara was born to Clarence and Mary Lucille Dettling on March 10 1923 in Akron Ohio. She graduated from St. Vincent High School where she met the great love of her life John 'Jack' Bader. She attended the University of Akron where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She also worked at her family's store Dettling's Florist until marrying Jack in 1945 when he returned from service in WWII. Barbara raised six children: Mary (Thomas) Cochran Virginia (Michael) McGuckin Jeffrey (Linda) Bader John (Karen) Bader Thomas (Annette) Bader and David (Pamela) Bader. She was a devoted and diligent mother who demanded the best from her family and was proud of their accomplishments. She and Jack were married for 62 years before his death in 2007. Their love story was a model for their children and grandchildren. Barbara participated in activities at St. Sebastian and St. Hilary Parishes and was a life-long faith-filled Catholic. She served many years on the St. Thomas Hospital Women's Board selling Day at the Races tickets and creating the arrangements that were sold in the gift shop. Barbara's home was always spotless and beautifully decorated with antiques collected over her lifetime. It was a great compliment in the family if your home was described as 'Bobbie-clean.' The stars will shine a little brighter because she is polishing them! Barbara had a generous spirit and contributed to many established charities but her great joy was to anonymously make life better for needy families and individuals with a warm coat or a bag of groceries. As Barbara's health and mobility deteriorated over the past 6 years she moved to the Village at St. Edward. The staff there helped to make these last years more comfortable. She was blessed to have the services of private nursing assistants who became her friends: Mattie Rigby Anne Obot Dorothea Hope and Dasha Wallace tended to her with love and compassion. Their thoughtful care will always be valued by the family. In addition to her parents and husband Barbara was preceded in death by her sisters Jane Shook and Elizabeth McBride. She is survived by her six children and by 18 grandchildren: Michael Matthew Michelle Kelly Kathryn Molly Dan Tim Emily Sarah Christopher Jessica Kevin Andrew Matthew Ryan Alexandra and Joshua. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren sister Helen Mundy brother-in-law Richard Bader and many nieces and nephews. The family will gather on Monday Dec. 23 at 9 AM at St. Vincent Church 164 W. Market St. Akron. They will receive visitors until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM. If you are unable to join the family in this celebration of Barbara's life at this busy time of year please take a moment to say a prayer for the elderly and their caregivers. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Bader Family Scholarship Fund St. Vincent-St. Mary High School 15 N. Maple St. Akron OH 44303.