Barbara A. Collins

BARBARA A. COLLINS (nee Bartels) age 85, beloved wife of the late George W., II; loving mother of Carol Stefano (husband James) and the late Deirdre Smith (husband Robert); devoted grandmother of Rebecca Davis (husband Matthew), Paulina Stefano (fiancé Zach Ritter) and Emma Stefano and great-grandmother of Porter, Lawson, Everett and Deeanne Davis; cherished daughter of the late Theodore and Edna (nee Rado) Bartels. Survived by her beloved canine companion, Gabriel.

Born on January 29, 1939, in The Bronx, New York City, Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Hunter College in New York. She then earned her master’s degree in physical education and kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she met her husband, George. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1963 where her husband was a professor at The Ohio State University, and they retired to Chesterland, Ohio in 1991. While in Columbus, she used her degrees teaching swimming, first aid, CPR and her true passion working with dogs. Barbara was a certified Therapy dog trainer and loved training dogs in sledding, tracking, water retrieval and agility. With an adventurous personality, she enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. Barbara truly made an impact on so many lives, and will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Barbara to Therapy Dogs International, 88 Bartley Road, Flanders, New Jersey 07836 or Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue, P.O. Box 135, Bath, OH 44210. 

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Barbara at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025, from 2 - 4 PM.