Barbara Shrift

Barbara Eyster Shrift, born October 8, 1929, passed away peacefully in her new home at Bay Ridge in Traverse City on August 26, 2023. She will forever be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, interested always in the goings on of her entire brood. She was the bedrock upon which our entire family could rely as a source of steadfastness in an increasingly turbulent world.

Barb was born at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, PA. to Paul and Romayne Brown – the second of two daughters. In spite of being born into a tumultuous time in America, Barb (and family) lived a comfortable middle-class existence, affected but not devastated by the 'Great Depression' of the 30's. Following high school graduation, Barb matriculated to Beaver College in Glenside, PA. near Philadelphia. She received a B.A in sociology (reportedly because of a guarantee of no math). While attending college, Barb worked at a children's aid society (orphanage), and it was there that she met a handsome, well educated, Korean war veteran - her future husband Jim in 1952. They were married on June 15, 1953.

1953 was a seminal year for Barb: she was a college graduate, a newly wed, a mother to be and, she completed her initiation rites into the Catholic Church. In addition, they decided to move to the 'howling wilderness' of Northern Michigan, to a small town named Traverse City – a place that her mother was certain lacked electricity, paved roads, indoor plumbing and/or other civilized accoutrements. But here is where they settled, and it remained her home until her passing 70 years later.

Over the years (they) cultivated many true blue, and unconditional friendships that endured the tests of time. Their growing family became so integrated with so many other large families that it became normal (in the summer months) to take roll call at the end of the day to determine whose kids were staying where, and to get a full accounting of her own children before bedtime. Simpler times indeed.

Barb cherished her friends nearly as much as her family. As a group they weathered the loss of jobs, health, children and spouses. Through it all she remained committed to her faith, her family, and her friends. One of her passions was playing cards with the 'girls'. Bridge, in particular, was very competitive, with huge sums (25 cents - $1) changing hands weekly. She took great joy and immense pride in bragging rights. She also continued to draw great strength and piece of mind from the church, through her prayer life, and her deep and abiding faith in the Lord.

Barb spent the second half of her adult life as a widow, having lost her husband in 1979. She also became visually invalid and in need of corneal transplants well before these surgeries became routine. This resulted in a move into town where she made a new life for herself that she grew to love: a new location surrounded by the same loving family and friends. Her new home became the focal point for all subsequent family gatherings, and 'home base' for holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, funerals, births or any need to congregate. Many traditions were instantiated at her new home: like the constant circulation of a growing number of grandchildren to be watched over and nurtured, to some epic Christmas cookie decorating marathons. Barb raised her family on Peninsula Drive, and then her grandchildren on Twelfth Street. It was here that she honed her grandma superpower – she never seemed to forget anyone or anything. She never forgot to acknowledge anyone's birthday, anniversary, graduation, new jobs, colleges, academic or athletic achievements, ailments, surgeries, boyfriends, girlfriends, significant others, the goings on of extended family. Amazing really, and this included her own family, along with her friends and their families, her neighbors, and many from her church. She became the bedrock on which we all relied for stability, normalcy, consistency, attention and a touchstone to our roots.

Barb also found meaning in a new job, as one of the 'moms' who cooked for the kids at St. Francis school. There she found she could help to nourish both the mind/body and souls of the children each day. The lunch ladies were good at what they did, and they meant much more to the community than simply kitchen staff. Whether at home or at work, Barbs genius was an organic and genuine ability to make people feel significant, worthy, appreciated and accepted. To her joy, late in life, she was able to witness that she had been able to pass these same attributes along to her children and grandchildren.

Barb believed tangibly in the Power of Prayer as real and solid as concrete. She allowed no equivocation in her faith life or her personal relationship with Jesus. This remained unshakable until the end, quietly but undeniably faithful. She anticipated eternal life with great joy and confidence.

Barb (and family) sends the sincerest and heart-felt thank you's and praise to the staff of Bay Ridge assisted living facility for their unwavering love, kindness, support, and affirmation of who she was in life. They helped us navigate the rough spots that attend aging, while appreciating and enjoying her companionship. Barb was comfortable, content, well cared for and loved. For that we are eternally grateful.

Barb is survived by her children: sons Pat (Betsy); Tim (Corinne); Mike (Kelly); Pete (Maria). Daughters Sue (Jim); Gretchen (Don); Katie (Don). Grandchildren Brook, Kimberly, Brad, Sean, Kahlin (Brandon), Nate (Emily), Anna, Abby, Sam (Cass), Alison (Hailee), Heidi (Christoph), Ben, Emily, Nick and Claire. Great grandson Oliver. Not to forget the many beautiful furry and fuzzy dogs that the family inundated Barb with… she loved them all and enjoyed the unconditional love they slobbered all over her.

A celebration of Barbs life will take place at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Friday September 15th with a Rosary (5pm) followed by visitation from 5:30 – 8:00pm, and Saturday September 16th at St. Francis church. Visitation from 10:00 – 11:00am. Funeral Mass at 11:00.
Luncheon to follow in parish center.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for you to consider donations to St. Francis Catholic Church.