Barbara Ann Homitz

Barbara Ann Homitz, 97, passed away on March 14, 2026. She was born Barbara Ann Rystogi, in Schenectady, NY, in 1928, where she lived until high school. She graduated from Academy High School in Erie, PA. She then graduated from the Flora Stone Mather College of Western Reserve University in 1950 with a Bachelors in English and a minor in sociology. It was at Western Reserve University (now CWRU) that she met her husband, Henry Homitz, who was studying engineering at Case Institute of Technology. They were happily married for 62 years. They had four children: Linda Sunday, Karen, Paul, and Anne. Barbara took great care and pride in raising her children. She and her family lived mostly in Ohio, and Mentor, OH had been her home for 52 years. She was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Most recently she was a resident of Ohio Living Assisted Care at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby. Her interest in literature and the arts and in community service was instilled in her children. Her interest in social work led her to be active in many community activities. Barbara’s advocacy for children led her to obtain a teaching certificate in the 1960s, and she taught second grade for several years. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and served as president of the Mentor chapter for several years. She was a member of the Citizen’s Review Board of the Lake County Juvenile Court, on which she served for 34 years. She also was a charter member of, and worked on, the Lake County Crisis Hotline. Another activity which was very important to her in serving the community was as an election poll worker, where she was a presiding judge in ward 1, precinct B in Mentor for 20 years. She also volunteered for the Christ Child Society of the Western Reserve as a sustaining member and manager of the Christ Child Society Cottage for one year. All the sales of the Cottage’s used clothing supports children and adults in need in Lake County. Barbara was also a supporter of the Lake County Music and Drama Club, which provides scholarships for music and drama studies. Another great love was her activity in the Blossom Women’s Committee for the support of the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center. Barbara herself was a very talented pianist and would often play Chopin, Brahms, and Beethoven. Her interest in art media included watercolor, pastel, chalk, oils, and charcoal, producing incredible nature scenes, still life images, as well as some architectural designs. She was an excellent gardener who loved plants and creating flower beds. She had an enduring love and respect for all animals. Many cats, in particular, were saved and beloved by Barbara. She loved her family very much, but also her community and her country, and extended that love through guidance to others, helping them find a voice of their own. She always advocated for education, the arts, literacy, social justice, and critical thinking as a foundation for responsible citizenry. Barbara is survived by all four of her children. Her husband, Henry, passed away in 2012. She will be remembered with love and appreciation by her family and friends. The family expresses many thanks to the staff at Ohio Living Breckenridge and Hospice of Northeast Ohio for their compassionate care of our mother over the last four years. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH, 44060. Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made to Lake Humane Society, 7564-E Tyler Boulevard, Mentor, Ohio 44060, www.lakehumane.org or a charity of choice. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Barbara Ann Homitz

November 21, 1928 - March 17, 2026