Barbara J. Mansky 1942-2025

Barbara was born Feb. 20, 1942, in Youngstown, the oldest daughter of the late Gene and Jean Wade. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1960 and was a lifetime member of the reunion committee.

She was an accomplished musician, having learned piano from age 6. She also played the organ and guitar and was the church organist for many years at various churches.

After her children were grown, she went back to college and graduated summa cum laude from YSU’s Dana School of Music. She taught piano at Fame Conservatory of Music until opening her own business, The Piano Studio in Boardman. She retired from working full-time in 2006. She then began working part-time teaching at Music and Arts.

She was also an amazing quilter who gave her family and friends her beautiful work. She would never charge anyone for one of her quilts, saying, “They all find their right home.”

Barb also enjoyed going to car shows and cruise-ins for almost 40 years with the many classic and muscle cars she and her husband owned throughout the years.

There is not enough space to describe Barb’s many interests and talents. She was also a diehard Cleveland Indians / Guardians fan for years and (sadly), a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband and best friend, Joe, her high school sweetheart. Joe and Barb were married Sept. 15, 1962. She also leaves behind her two daughters, Judy Mansky of Dayton and Cheryl Mansky (Don Starner) of Lancaster; a son, David (Terry) Mansky of Alvaton, Kentucky; and her grandchildren, Jillian Varner (Martyn Hodgetts, fiance) of Salisbury, United Kingdom, Thomas Varner of Superior, Colorado, Joey Mansky of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Lauren Mansky of Lexington, Kentucky.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jackie Rhoads; and brothers-in-law, Jim Mansky and Thomas Rhoads.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Thomas Burkert and Dr. Joshua Gady for Barb’s excellent care, and also, Sherrie, her guardian angel in the ICU at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.

Family and friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St., Boardman.

There will be a funeral service celebrating Barb’s life 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at the funeral home, with Deacon Paul Lisko officiating.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with Barb’s family.

(special notice)