|
Obituary: Barbara (Karelus)
Taurisano, 77, Utica
Published: November 27, 2023
By: Provided by Eannace
Funeral Home
Barbara (Karelus) Taurisano
 UTICA – Mrs. Barbara (Karelus)
Taurisano, age 77, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on
Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Barbara’s parents, the late Jan Peter and
Magdalena (Kubina) Karelus, both of Polish descent,
met in Germany following WWII. On February 25, 1946, Barbara was born in Maczkow and at the age of four emigrated from Germany with
her parents and two younger brothers. Upon arriving in the United States,
the Karelus family lived in Martinsburg, NY for a
brief period before relocating to New Haven, CT where she spent much of her
childhood. The family ultimately settled in Lowville, NY establishing a
family farming business on Flat Rock Road. Her experiences living in a new
country, working on the family farm, and caring for her younger brothers
and sisters instilled in Barbara an integrity and
work ethic she carried with her through life. Barbara graduated from
Lowville Academy with the class of 1964 and then moved to Utica to pursue
her associate degree from M.V.C.C. Although never living again in Lowville,
she visited often and her love for her parents and siblings was unwavering.
Barbara was extremely proud of her Polish heritage and though she and her
husband Chuck enjoyed multiple trips to Europe, most special to Barbara
were her two trips to Poland, where she met her family that resided there
for the first time.
On September 27, 1969, she married Charles
A. “Chuck” Taurisano at St. Hedwig’s Church in Houseville.
They were so happy to marry in the fall as it was when they met and fell in
love. They celebrated 54 wonderful years together and built their marriage
on respect, love, and the raising of their two girls, of whom they always
made their priority.
Before starting her family, Barbara
worked at the former Marine Midland Bank as a teller. As she and Chuck
began their family, her most important consideration was caring for the
well-being of her girls. Barbara ultimately returned to the work force and
held a position in the Continuing Education Office at Utica College of
Syracuse University.
Barbara was a kind and gentle soul,
strong, and always selfless. She was an outstanding mother and shared many
beautiful traditions with her daughters and grandchildren, leaving them
with several fond memories. Barbara enjoyed connecting with new
acquaintances and old friends, she always listened patiently, and took
pleasure in offering her personal stories and experiences. She possessed a
loving heart above all else.
Friendships were extremely important to her,
and she and Chuck were fortunate to have many cherished friendships they
enjoyed through the years. They especially enjoyed their longtime friends
they affectionately called the “reunion committee”. Barbara savored the
time spent meeting her girlfriends from high school at Brantingham Lake. She
also enjoyed the hobby of playing dominos every Friday with a tight group
of friends.
Barbara enjoyed cooking and baking many specialty
items that were cherished by her family and friends, most especially by her
grandchildren, who called her “Mimi”. She loved tending to plants and
flowers, a love she shared with her mother, and she took pride in nurturing
the many flowers in her home and garden. She served as an officer of the Garden
Club, preparing their annual yearbook and organizing many club trips. She
considered herself a faithful member of Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish,
Lourdes Campus.
If Barbara were to reflect upon her own
life, she would be so pleased to have married the love of her life, to have
been blessed with two delightful daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law
and so fortunate for her time with her four grandchildren that gave her so
much joy.
Barbara is survived by her devoted
husband Chuck; her daughters, Nicole Taurisano Albert and her husband
Edward, and Kristin Taurisano Ferrante and her husband Christopher; her
grandchildren, Edward and Michael Albert, and Charles and Daniella
Ferrante. She will live on in the hearts of her siblings and their spouses,
John and Judy Karelus, Andrew Karelus,
Henry and Jane Karelus, and Kristina and Scott
Allen. She leaves her memory to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews,
and cousins, especially including Philip and Barbara Taurisano; her in-laws,
LeeAnn and James Solan; and her late brother-in-law, James Taurisano
(2010). As a couple, Barbara and Chuck made so many wonderful friends and
her husband will cherish the many delightful memories. She was predeceased
by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony C.
and Lena E. (Cavalier) Taurisano; and her nephew, Scott Solan.
The Taurisano family is so grateful for
the kindness and compassion of so many friends who have shown their love
for Barbara. Many sincere words have been spoken, which has been of
encouragement to her loved ones.
Visitation will be held on Friday,
December 1, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Eannace
Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Relatives and
friends are respectfully invited to attend Barbara’s Mass of Christian
Burial and Celebration of Life, which will commence on Saturday, December
2, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus,
2222 Genesee St. Entombment will take place in Christ Our Savior Mausoleum
at Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Fond memories and messages of
encouragement may be shared at www.EannaceFuneralHome.com
|
