Barbara A. Szalkie

Barbara Ann Szalkie passed away on Friday March 1, 2024 at the age of 81.  She was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 19, 1942 to the late John and Hilda Kling.  Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Stephanie (Kevin) Stotts, brother Ed (Gloria) Kling, grandchildren Stephen (Carrie) Szalkie, Michael Szalkie, Katie Stotts, Matthew Stotts, Benjamin Stotts, great grandchildren, Nicole Szalkie and Cailey Szalkie, sisters-in-law Margaret Kling and Sandra Casey, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Joseph Szalkie, Jr. (1995) son, Stephen Michael Szalkie (2018) and brothers Robert and Eugene Kling.

Barb attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School. She met her husband, Steve, shortly after high school.  They courted through letters while he served in the army and then married in 1965.  They were fierce euchre partners and loved to dance. They celebrated 30 years of marriage before Steve passed.

Barb leaves a legacy of faith and love of family. Barb was kind, happy, always welcoming and always smiling. She was humble and always put others first. Barb most loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was definitely their #1 fan.  She also enjoyed being outside, taking walks, watching sports, shopping, coffee on her patio, saying the rosary daily, and being silly. She loved music and was often humming or doing a little dance here and there.

Most of all, Barb loved the Lord.  Despite difficult life circumstances of losing a husband and son both at young ages, she still chose to live with hope and faith in God.  She would tell you her strength came from God. She never doubted His goodness and trusted His plans. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life around which she built everything else.

Barb brought joy to this world and now is at peace in the arms of Jesus, who made a way for her, for all of us.  He is Risen.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11am on Saturday March 16, 2024 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 750 Gladstone Dr. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 with Fr. Scott Nolan as Celebrant.  Visitation will be on Friday March 15th at the Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 2-4pm and 6-8pm with a Rosary at 3:30pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pregnancy Resource Center Grand Rapids.

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