Our much-loved Barbara “Barb” Flanders, passed away in Rochester, NY on January 15, 2023 at the age of 84. Barb was born in Flint, MI on January 11, 1939, to the late Harold and Margaret Boyle, where she grew up with three sisters.
In 1956, Barb met William “Bill” Flanders who was attending General Motors Institute in Flint. The two tied the knot in 1959 and moved to Lockport, NY, where they spent the first half of their married life and raised their two children. Although the couple relocated to Venice, FL in 1992, Barb always considered Western New York home. She and Bill loved visiting Watkins Glen to watch vintage car races and enjoyed eating pizza, Bye’s popcorn, beef on wecks, and wings! She was an unwavering, decades-long Buffalo Bills fan, cheering them on game after game. After Bill’s passing in December 2021, Barb returned to NY to be near family.
A dear friend to many, Barb was genuinely warm, kind, and thoughtful. She celebrated, sent greeting cards, and decorated for every holiday. Above all, Barb cherished her family. An exemplary mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Barb was loved beyond measure by daughter Susan SanFilippo (James), son David (Sonya), and grandchildren Sherree SanFilippo (Casey Miller), Jesse SanFilippo, Jake Flanders, and Lucas Flanders. She was preceded in death by her sisters Mary Lou Roh and Judith Robinson, and is survived by her children, grandchildren, sister Sherri Hetzel, and many nieces and nephews. We will miss her twinkling green eyes and the unconditional love she provided. Barb appreciated being a wee bit Irish, thus this blessing seems apt: “…until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
A combined visitation for both Barb and Bill will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 9-11am with a Celebration of Life immediately following at 11am at Rochester Cremation, 1118 Long Pond Rd. in Rochester (Greece) NY 14626.
As Barb was both a cancer survivor and a lover of children, please consider making a memorial donation to
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
in lieu of flowers.