Ms. Barbara Elizabeth Marusiak, 95, of Dayton, Ohio (formerly of Cabot, Arkansas), passed away at Vienna Springs Healthcare on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. She spent her last few days surrounded by friends and family. Barbara was born to the late John and Elizabeth (Habicht) Summers on Dec. 1, 1928 in North Harpersfield. She graduated from Jefferson high school, served in the U.S. Navy for three years, then later joined the U.S. Air Force and served for 20 years. Barbara received several awards during her time in the Air Force and retired as a Master Sergeant.

Barbara grew up in rural upstate NY where several of her childhood friendships blossomed into lifelong friendships, including that with the late June Close. She traveled around the world while serving in the Air Force and made a variety of lifelong friends along the way. Barbara enjoyed traveling with her friends and was a frequent attendee at the Women in the Air Force reunions. Barbara lived in Dayton just for two years, but forged new friendships and was a warm, peaceful presence at her retirement community. Barbara's niece, Barbara and her husband David, were honored to spend two years with Barbara in Dayton and enjoyed many hours around the dining room table and in the living room sharing memories and making new ones. As anyone who knew Barbara would expect, she enjoyed doting on her niece's two dogs.

Barbara lived in Cabot, for more than 50 years and had many good friends including neighbors Nancy Goodman and her daughter Robin as well as a special companion, the late Jerry Price. She was well-known for being a green thumb and had a garden room full of interesting plants as well as extensive landscaping which she cared for herself into her early 90s. She also had an enormous vegetable garden every summer. Animals, particularly dogs, held a special place in Barbara's heart. Her first two dogs, Gigi and Banjo, found their way to Barbara as strays and found a home full of love and special care. Barbara's last dog Mollie, an English Springer Spaniel, was Barbara's pride and joy.

Barbara was predeceased by her sister Helen Acker, brother-in-law Jim Acker, and nephew John Acker. She is survived by nieces Barbara Acker-Mills and Susan Michaud, nephews Lauren and Bruce Acker, as well as several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held in Dayton and her ashes will be interred in Jefferson's Evergreen cemetery in the spring of 2025. Contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to the Pulaski County Humane Society https://warmhearts.org/memorial-gifts/ or another animal charity of choice.