Following a courageous and inspirational five and one-half year battle with a massive stroke, Barbara Ann Colin completed her journey on this earthly realm and was lovingly escorted by the angels into the divine presence of Our Lord and the communion of saints on December 2, 2024. She had been in the care of Caprice Health Care Center in North Lima, OH since suffering that affliction.

While her surviving husband, Joseph F. Colin and son, Harry L. Colin, both of East Palestine, OH are now awash in their grief, they take consolation by the firm knowledge that her physical anguish is over and she is in the joyful light of eternal life where her profound faith has received its just reward.

Barbara was the only child of Louis and Lucy (Capan) Caler of Beaver Falls, PA, where she was born on July 31, 1935. She spent most of her childhood with her grandmother, Barbara "Baba" Capan, the beloved matriarch of the extended Capan family. It was her grandmother's exemplary faith and deep love of family that inspired Barbara to anchor her life in those twin pillars of behavior. Baba had nine children and Barbara loved her uncles, aunts and cousins very deeply and throughout her life she sought to preserve and fortify these familial relationships. The cultural coordinates of her youth were the Croatian-American experiences and habits of her extended family where ethnic food and music held prominent positions in their daily lives.

Barbara graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1953. While a student there she developed a remarkable talent for shorthand and was recognized by the state as one of finest practitioners of that valuable skill. Most importantly, it was in high school where she met Joseph, whose family had recently moved to Beaver Falls. Both Joseph and Barbara soon realized that God had blessed them each with a beloved partner for life, and they were married at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in New Brighton, PA on November 12, 1955, beginning an incredible 69 years of married life. Harry was born to them in 1956 and for many years Barbara was a homemaker, taking also an active role in the Christian Mothers ministry at St. Philomena's Parish in Beaver Falls, where they were members and Harry was a student. Along with a friend, Barbara also completed a course in the Great Books program and together they initiated and taught a Junior Great Books program at the school.

In 1973 Barbara rejoined the workforce, initially at a temporary agency, before taking a secretarial position at the Townsend Company. She later was offered a new position as the executive secretary to the president of the International Nickel Corporation in Ellwood City, PA.

During those years Barbara and Joseph were active participants in the Beaver Valley Camera Club, each winning awards for their artistic work. Barbara and Joseph also traveled twice to Europe, where Harry was stationed with the US Army in Fulda, West Germany. She and her aunt, Mary Delach, also composed and edited a Capan Family Cookbook, which continues to preserve the family legacy.

In 1988, opportunity arose for Barbara and Joseph to move to Winamac, IN for his job in the steel industry. While there Barbara also did some work as a notary public and they participated in a Marian prayer group, before moving back to her home region and settling into East Palestine in 1998, where they consolidated households with Harry. When her mother was confined to a nursing home in Beaver County in her final months, both Barbara and Joseph volunteered at the facility, bringing assistance and consolation to may people, reflecting their commitment to service and sharing. They also were for many years active members of the Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Catholic Parish in Boardman, OH, participating in several church groups and ministries.

Her family wishes to convey deepest appreciation to the nurses and staff at Caprice Health Care Center for their incredible care during those agonizing years of Barbara's illness. They helped navigate through the Covid shutdown, and became not simply caregivers, but members of the extended family, extending remarkable courtesies to the Colin family, which will be perpetually grateful for their love and concern. While the stroke robbed Barbara of the ability to speak and severely limited her physically, she was able to communicate through her smiles, facial expressions and hand movements. She inspired many of her caregivers with her resilience, her hopeful demeanor and faith in the face of immense obstacles.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7 at 11 AM at St. Monica Parish in Chippewa, PA, with Father William J. Schwartz presiding. A rosary will be prayed prior to services and a reception will follow immediately after the Mass in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Our Lady of Lebanon National Shrine, in North Jackson, OH. (www.ourladyoflebanonshrine.com)

Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine is in charge of arrangements.

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