Barbara Sweede, Class of 1956, passed away Thursday, November 23. December 16 would have been Barbara’s 80^th birthday.

She spent nearly all of her life in Stoney Lonesome in the Lion Lane childhood home of Barbara and her siblings, Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953, and Tom Matkovich, who lives in Westland, Michigan.

Dolores lives in Palm Harbor, Florida, which is near St. Petersburg, with husband John Matkovich, Class of 1948.

To get to Stoney Lonesome you turned right off south U.S. 19 at Pepsi Meffe’s service station and the United Mine Workers’ Union Hall and drove up the hill toward the Nagel home at the top before the street made a 90-degree left turn.

It was easy to cross paths with Barbara.

If you went to the Monongah High Alumni Reunion, there she was, greeting former classmates and old friends. Barbara attended in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2007 and 2005. My records don’t go back any further, but I’m sure Barbara was there in earlier years, too.

If you went to Mountaineer Field for a WVU football game, there was Barbara. That’s where I saw her sitting in the Section 105 boxes with their enclosed glass and overhanging protection.

Heck, if you visit Monongah, as I did one year with my daughter, LaQuita, who lives in Aurora, Ohio, you run across Barbara. My encounter happened outside the building that once was the Catania brothers’ Sinclair service station, adjacent to the former Lawrence and Regina Godby home on U.S. 19 (Camden Avenue) near the Pike Street intersection.

Barbara was a great neighbor willing to lend a helping hand or be a caregiver, too.

Let Jerry Koloskie, Class of 1975, who is deputy athletic director at the University of Albany in New York, tell you about Barbara:

“I had a really great Thanksgiving with family in Dayton, Ohio but received a call that Barbara Sweede passed away. As an only child, Barbara was not only like a older sister but a dear friend who was one of the greatest neighbors a person could ask for. She was always there for my parents and was one of my biggest supporters during my younger years.

“Barb never met a stranger and she always made my kids feel like they were part of her family. Before and after my Mom and my Aunt Lydia passed away, Barb helped my Dad get through some very challenging times and always assured me not to worry.

“She was the type of person who could bring levity to any situation and, without her, I am not sure what I would have done, being so far away from home. We last saw Barb a few weeks ago and it was not only very sad but no one should have to suffer from cancer the way that Barb did.

“Barb will always be remembered by my family and I will miss her dearly. We love you, Barb. RIP. And you will always be in our memories.

“Jerry Koloskie, Annette Koloskie, Megan Koloskie, Johnny Koloskie, James Koloskie and Kaydence Koloskie.”

In the 2013 obituary for Jerry’s mother, Julia Elizabeth Monell Koloskie, there was a thank-you to Barbara “for all her help and care” while Julia was at Fazio’s Elder Care in Stoney Lonesome, on the street where Barbara lived. Junior Koloskie, as Jerry pointed out, was helped through the crisis by Barbara.

Barbara spent most of the past decade being treated for her cancer. Without complaining, of course.

Barbara’s obituary:

Barbara Ann Sweede, 79, of Fairmont, passed away Thursday, November 23, 2017 at Pleasant Acres Nursing Home in Fairmont. Barbara was born in Akron, OH on December 16, 1937, daughter of the late Felix F. and Martha Gregory Sweede.

 

Barbara graduated from Monongah High School and was a retired telephone operator with C&P Telephone Company. Barbara brought joy and happiness to everyone around her, and was loved by many. She will be greatly missed. Barbara was Catholic by faith.

 

Barbara is survived by a dearest sister, Dolores Matkovich and husband John of Palm Harbor, FL, and a brother, Thomas Sweede and wife Sandra of Westland, MI. She was a beloved aunt of Tammi and Shelly, great aunt of Krista, TJ, and Tyler, all of Michigan.

 

The family would like to thank Barbara’s many friends for all of the calls to share support, love, and encouragement, as well as those who visited during her illness. Please know you all brought many smiles to her face.

 

 We are also incredibly thankful for the loving care that was provided by Amediseys Hospice. A donation has been made to Amediseys Hospice in Barbara’s name.

 

In lieu of donations and flowers, we request that you perform a random act of kindness this week in honor of Barbara.

 

In respect to Barbara’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monongah. Domico Funeral Home in Fairmont is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .