Barbara J. Olbrych

COPLEY - Barbara J. Olbrych, 85, formerly of Youngstown, entered into Eternal Rest Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2018, following an extended illness.

Barbara was born May 3, 1933, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine Sopkovich Bresko, and lived almost her entire life in this area.

She graduated from Chaney High School and attended Kent State University before marrying and raising her family on Youngstown’s west side. Barbara worked outside the home for a few years for SYMS Drug Store, then worked full-time as a customer service representative with Farmers National Bank, from where she retired.

Barbara was a longtime active member of St. Brendan Parish in Youngstown. She was president of the Mother’s Guild and of the Altar & Rosary Society, was a reader at Sunday Mass as well as a Eucharistic Minister, and she relished the privilege of bringing Holy Communion to her shut-in friends. She continued to enjoy reading the weekly church bulletin delivered to her home when she was no longer able to attend Mass in person.

Mrs. Olbrych enjoyed raising her children, staying up on current events, and reading fictional books and the daily newspaper.

Barbara is survived by her children, Dr. Thomas G. (Sue Andrea) Olbrych of Akron, Paul A. (Monica Evans) Olbrych of Cortland, and Mary Kay (Nicholas) Kollat of Canfield; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Stephanie, Ali, Evan, and Austin; two close cousins, Attorney Andrew Bresko and Dorothy Vrabel Leone; many nieces and nephews; and many in-laws.

Her husband of 41 years, Albert George Olbrych, whom she married April 23, 1955, passed away Sept. 5, 1996. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by Michael and Mary Bresko, a special uncle and aunt who raised Barbara.

Barbara's family will share memories of her life with friends and family from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 North Meridian Road, Youngstown.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, at the funeral home, and will continue at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Brendan Church.

Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown, where Barbara will be laid to rest next to husband.

Barbara’s children request that memorial contributions be made in her memory to the St. Brendan Church Memorial Fund, 2800 Oakwood Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44509.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.