Marquette–Sybellia “Sy” Jeanne Barsch passed away on Friday, December 8, 2006.
Sybellia was born in 1933 in Petoskey, Michigan, to Frank and Thelma Maxfield. She attended Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Michigan, graduating in 1951. Sy earned a Nursing degree from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University in 1957. Upon graduation, she taught Nursing at Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. In 1956, she married Henry J. Barsch and they settled in Marquette in 1970. Sy was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. She was an active volunteer in the Alzheimer’s Association, American Heart Association, Marquette-Alger Special Olympics, Marquette Symphony Board, Rotary of Marquette, and Teaching Family Homes.
Sy was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Peter Cathedral. She taught Pre-Marriage classes, was a Lay Minister, and also a member of the St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order.
She is survived by her children Cynthia Boyd, Jennifer (Tony) Barsch-Farrell, James Barsch, Thomas (Mary) Barsch, David (Rachel) Barsch, Timothy (Ann) Barsch, Maria (Roman) Tyzkiewicz, Theresa Barsch, Jeffrey (Holly) Barsch, Kristina (Mike) Shuler; nineteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Henry J. Barsch.
Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 12, beginning at 3:00 pm. The evening will conclude with a parish prayer service at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 13, at 11:00 am at St. Peter Cathedral. Concelebrants of the mass will be priest-friends from the Diocese. The Most Rev. Alexander Sample, Bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, will be present.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorials be directed to the Mastocytosis Society, P.O. Box 511, Plainville, CT 06062 or Marquette-Alger Special Olympics, c/o MARESA, 321 E. Ohio Street, Marquette, MI 49855.