Barbara Ellen Stewart

September 27, 1926 - November 19, 2014

Barbara Ellen Stewart, age 88, died Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Detroit Avenue. She was born in 1926, in Flint, Michigan, the daughter of Frank J. and Mabel Ruzicka. She worked for Sears Roebuck and Co. and then as a switchboard operator for Michigan Bell Telephone. On August 16, 1947, Barbara married the love of her life Thomas J. Stewart of Linden, Michigan, a bond that thrived for 67 years. In 1963 Barbara and Thomas moved to Toledo where she devoted her energy to raising nine children. Barbara was known for her crochet work, a skill learned from her mother and lovingly shared with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her love is tightly bound in many a bedspread, tablecloth and doily. A member of Gesu Roman Catholic Parish, she demonstrated her beliefs through prayer and deed, giving life lessons on living one’s faith. Her greatest treasure was her family. She was and will continue to be the thread that is woven through and binds the family together. She modeled a level of faith, love and grace that teaches still. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Thomas; children, Barbara Ellen Fox, Elizabeth Stein, Susan (William)Stein, Thomas (Laurel) Stewart, James Stewart, Carol (Thomas) Ryan, Dorothy (Kevin) Switzer, William Stewart and Kathleen (Gary Jr.) Kuns. She will be greatly missed by grandchildren, Lisa (Jason) Beymer, Duncan Stoker, Kristine (Robert) Kegerreis, Matthew (Samantha) Anderson, Leslie (John ) Lynch, Christopher (Angela)Stein, Jason (Deborah) Stein, Jennifer Stein, Lynn (Kevin) Morrissey, Timothy Stewart, Thomas Jerrold (Jennifer) Stewart, Amanda (Jason) Kenyon, Katherine (Nicholas) Rikke, Jacqueline Stewart, Shawn (Allison) Ryan, Rebecca Ryan, Andrew (fiance’ Jaclyn) Ryan, Zachary (Kelly) Switzer, Tyler Switzer, Garrett Switzer, Gary Kuns III and Elizabeth Kuns. Barbara was especially proud to be great grandmother to Eric and Alex Beymer, Tristan Stoker, Joshua Kegerreis, Matisse Anderson, Charlotte and John Lynch, Brendan, Paige and Madeline Stein, Lucas, Logan, Colin and Conner Stein, Michael Alexander, Megan, Jakob and Tyler Stewart, Brie Kenyon, Nate Rikke and Kane Ryan. She will be blessed with two new great grandchildren in the spring. She so loved all her babies and prayed for them all daily. Also surviving are her brother, Francis (Eleanor) Ruzicka, sisters, Helen Royal and Rosemary O’Dell, sister-in-law, Grace Ruzicka and many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her brother, John Ruzicka, sister, Joan McKay, sons-in-law, Richard Fox and Donald Stein, daughter-in-law, Angela Stewart and grandson, Travis Ryan. Our sincere and heartfelt appreciation goes to the staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Toledo for their tender care of both Mom and her family. Thank you! Friends are invited to visit from 3:00pm to 8:00pm Sunday at the Ansberg-West Funeral Home 3000 Sylvania Avenue where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00am Monday at Gesu Church. Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Remembrances in Barbara’s name may be given to the Travis Ryan “Make a Difference” Scholarship Fund c/o Farmers National Bank, Columbiana, Ohio 44408, Gesu Roman Catholic Parish, Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551