Barbara Gildea

Barbara Gildea was a woman who found pleasure in the simple things in life, things that many others fail to appreciate. She had experienced adversity and injustices and learned to stand up for the underdog. Throughout her life, Barbara considered her family to be her greatest gift and blessing. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and proud grandmother and great grandmother who did everything she could to support and encourage her loved ones. With her incredibly loving heart coupled with her feisty and strong willed spirit, Barbara brought light and life to all those within her reach.

Under the leadership of President Warren G. Harding, America entered into the 1920s with confidence. The politics of the time were as turbulent as ever, yet industry had made the U.S. economy surge. The decade would be forever remembered for its carefree and decadent spirit. Monroe and Doris (Stewart) Genau were far removed from these things that characterized the 1920s. They lived a modest life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Monroe worked in road construction and Doris was employed at Gilmore’s. On February 20, 1922, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of their only child, a beautiful daughter they named Barbara.

Barbara lived in the Kalamazoo area all of her life. It is the place she called home, and the place where she created a lifetime full of memories with her family and friends. She received her education in the Oakwood schools, but spent her last 2 years of high school at Kalamazoo Central, where she was a cheerleader and worked on the school newspaper, K Central. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1940.

While in high school, Barbara dated a fellow classmate named Lloyd Gildea; however, fate stepped in and Barbara was introduced to his older brother, Andrew. They began dating in February 1941. In June, Andrew received his draft notice, and the sweethearts continued their courtship through many love letters to each other. Then, when Andrew came home on a furlough, he and Barbara were happily married at the First Methodist Church in Kalamazoo on October 1, 1943. While Andrew was off serving in the war, Barbara stayed for a short time in Texas and Oklahoma, a place she always had fond memories of. After the war, the couple returned home to Kalamazoo to raise a family of their own. They were blessed with five wonderful children: Michael, Patricia, Lynn, Terri and Jeffrey. As Andrew worked to support their growing family at Upjohn, Barbara devoted herself to the role of a mother and homemaker. By example, she taught her kids good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives. Living through the war years, Barbara learned many lessons, like not to turn a blind eye to injustice and to stand up for oneself, something she instilled in her children too. If Barbara had an opinion about something, she always shared it in a loving manner, never criticizing.

Time together as a family was always important to Barbara and Andrew. They shared many wonderful memories with their kids at the family cottage on Rose Lake near Leroy, Michigan, a tradition Barbara also enjoyed as a child with her parents. They spent their days swimming and fishing and waking up to Barbara’s fabulous homemade donuts and pancake breakfasts. She made a cherry pie that was out-of-this-world too. At home, Barbara kept busy tending to her beautiful flower gardens and being involved in a Garden Club. For several years she was a member of the Ladies Library Association in Kalamazoo where she made numerous friends and was proud of the mission of the club. She liked to do ceramics and sew, and was an avid reader of history books, including about military history and airplanes Most often, there was a family cat curled up next to Barbara when she read, keeping her company.

Barbara loved her family dearly, and together she and Andrew enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Sadly, he passed away in 2002. Barbara found great comfort in her family, especially when surrounded by the love and smiles of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed being involved in their lives, and supported them in all their endeavors, like her own children. Barbara looked forward to every family gathering at her home, and spending time on her son Jeff’s boat on Lake Michigan. She loved to travel so when Terri moved in with her in 2005, they began taking 2 trips a year, visiting places like Amarillo, Texas, Denver, Colorado and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. She had many great stories to tell of their adventures. In the last few years, however, Barbara began to slow down, and simply enjoyed time at home with her beloved family.

A cherished mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Barbara will be dearly missed and remembered always.

Barbara Gildea, age 89, died on Friday, April 8, 2011, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI. Learn more about Barb and visit with her family and friends while sharing some refreshments on Tuesday, April 12, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900. Funeral services will be at the same location on Wednesday, April 13, at 11 a.m.

Members of Barb’s family include her 5 children: Michael (Connie) Gildea, Patricia (Michael) Yankovich, Lynn (Carol) Gildea, Terri Gildea, and Jeffrey Gildea; 6 grandchildren: Michael Jr., Kelly, Chad, Heather, Amanda and Jennifer; and 8 great grandchildren: Zoe, Brayden, Elijah, Tobyn, and Savannah, Andrew, Ava and Dominic. She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Gildea. Please visit Barbara’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and/or sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Lady’s Library Association.