Visitation Information

Barbara C. Pinarski

Passed away on April 14, 2024

            Barbara “Barb” Pinarski (nee Jarosz), 85, of St. John, Indiana, formerly of Hammond, Indiana, passed away on April 14, 2024.  She was born on July 5, 1938 in Hammond to Anna Owczarzak and Stanley Jarosz.  She graduated from Bishop Noll High School in 1957 and worked for Johns-Manville in Chicago, Electric Supply in Hammond, and Dekker Electric in Lansing, Illinois.  Barbara grew up in Hammond and raised her family there until moving to St. John 18 years ago.

            Barbara was involved in many community organizations and activities.  She was a den mother for 13 years when her children were young.  She is a past president of Our Lady of Fatima Sodality at St. Casimir Church in Hammond, and was a member of the Rosary Sodality and the St. Casimir Parish council.   For many years, Barb led the St. Casimir Seniors as its President, organizing meetings, holiday parties and luncheons. 

            Barb enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends, and some of her best dishes were Polish specialties-- sausage and sauerkraut and stuffed cabbage.  Her raisin bread (a recipe inherited from her mother-in-law Mary) was legendary from Nevada to Indiana to New Jersey, with its rich, buttery texture and golden crust.  Barb was an avid crocheter and made afghans in every color and design for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, present and future.   Barb loved spending time with her grandchildren, attending their baseball and softball games, baking them banana bread, and taking them shopping whether to Costco or to the Red Barn, one of her favorite local places.   Barb was a strong, resilient and thoughtful mother, grandmother and friend, and will be missed by all who knew her.  

            Barbara is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Gene Pinarski. Barbara is survived by her children Gregory (Chrissy) Pinarski, Annmarie (Ben Pensiero) Pinarski, Jim (Valerie) Pinarski, Tony (Geri) Pinarski, and Julie Wilson; her grandchildren Andrea (Jacob) Bucher, Stephen (Kimber) Pinarski, Michael Pinarski, Alexa Pinarski, Ethan Pinarski, Nathan Pinarski, Lukas Pinarski, Jessica DeStefano, Alyssa DeStefano, and Andrew Pensiero; her great-grandchildren, Emily, Drew, and Maeve; her cousin Patsy Dijak; and her life-long friends Betty Paredes, Joan Orosz, and Lorrie Napiwocki.    

            Visitation is on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 3:00 to 8:00 with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at Elmwood Funeral Chapel 11300 W. 97th Lane (1/2 block west of US 41/Wicker Ave. at 97th St.) St. John.  Funeral Services Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 9:30 am from the Elmwood Funeral Chapel to St. John the Evangelist Church (10701 Olcott Ave. St. John).  Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or the American Cancer Society. For more information 219-365-3474 or www.elmwoodchapel.com