In Memory of

Bertha

Rose

Barbi

(Yarkowski)

Obituary for Bertha Rose Barbi (Yarkowski)

Bertha Rose (Yarkowski) Barbi, 95, of Indiana died Monday, May 7, 2018 at the Rose Haven Personal Care Home in Indiana where she had resided for the past six years. Born in McIntyre, September 10, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Anthony Yarkowski and Josephine (Stodolak) Yarkowski. She was the widow of Vincent J. Barbi, Sr. who died August 7, 1983. They were married for thirty-nine years.

She will be remembered by women in the Ernest area as the beautician who styled their hair where Bertha was a local hairstylist for many years. She was proud to be a lifelong democrat who served on the Board of Elections in Ernest Borough for more than thirty years. In addition, she was recognized by the commonwealth for 50 years of consecutive voting.

Bertha enjoyed dancing, especially polka dancing. She enjoyed baking a variety of pastries and making her famous spaghetti and meatballs. She also enjoyed playing bingo and watching her daily soaps.

She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, Ernest.

Bertha is survived by her children: Jane Miller (Norman), Indiana; Barbara Ann McCarthy (William), New Baltimore, Mich.; Vincent J. Barbi, Jr. (Cindy), Blairsville and Dennis Barbi, Alexandria, VA. In addition to her sister, Lena Harydazak, Pittsburgh, she will be missed by seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her godchild, Patricia Medvetz Daskavich.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband and the following siblings: Edward, Alexander, John and Henry Yarkowski, Julia Medvetz, Violet Yarkowski, Josephine Groomes and Dorothy Yarkowski.

Friends will be received Thursday, May 10th from 5 – 8 PM at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. A prayer vigil will begin at 7PM Thursday evening at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday morning at 10AM at the Church of the Resurrection, Ernest. Rev. Anthony Klimko, Celebrant. Burial will be made in St. Bernard Cemetery, Indiana.

Bertha’s family extends a special thank you to the medical staff at the IRMC Rehab Center for the outstanding and personal care they gave to their mother. Special thanks to Dr. Andrew Cash and Dr. Stella Boron for their compassionate care and the personal touch they offered. And lastly, another special thank you to the staff at Rose Haven who provided loving care to Bertha for the past six years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bertha’s name to Rose Haven P.C.H. at 132 Haven Drive, Indiana, Pa. 15701

Online condolences may be offered by visiting rbfh.net .