Barbara Soles Bose 1947-2026

Born Jan. 10, 1947, to Virginia Slifka and Nicholas Fossessco, Barb grew up in Youngstown and graduated from East High School.

An accomplished woman who was tenacious and sharp-witted, Barb obtained her cosmetologist license, then later earned her bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, where she even shared a few classes with her daughter. She would always sit right next to Becky, raising her hand proudly to participate in every class discussion.

Thereafter, Barb worked at the Social Security Administration, where she eventually retired.

Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was her family. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life. Known as “Pink Yia Yia,” you could always tell Barb was the very best version of herself when she was surrounded by her family. She was the kind of grandma who made every holiday magical and every memory special. Every single birthday, the phone would ring and there would be her voice, singing her traditional rendition of “Happy Birthday.” No birthday will ever be the same without that phone call. When Christmas rolled around, Barb would fire up her oven and spend countless hours baking gingerbread houses for her grandchildren to put together. It was one of her most beloved traditions and one her family will no doubt carry on in her memory.

Barb was fiercely loyal to her family and friends. To cross one of her own was to cross her. You could always count on her to defend your honor. Those who knew her will miss her witty humor and distinctive laugh.

An artistic soul at heart, she was a talented painter and emanated creativity in so many things she did. She also had a taste for adventure and loved to see all the beauty in the world, recently fulfilling her dream to cruise the Mediterranean with her daughter.

Barb was living proof that you’re never too old for adventure — or love. On Oct. 18, 2024, she married longtime family friend Doug Bose, and just last summer, she rode on the back of his motorcycle across the country at the ripe age of 78.

When she wasn’t off on an adventure, you could find her watching a Lifetime movie, sitting outside or soaking in her beloved bubble baths. Sometimes you would even see her cruising around town in her BMW convertible (which she jokingly named the “Bar B BMW”). However, the place you would most often find her is right where she wanted to be. Whether she was floating in her son’s pool, gathered around the table during family dinners, or playing with her youngest grandchild, Sienna, and great-grandchildren, Darrow, Palmer and Emma, she was always content just to be amongst family.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Virginia Slifka and Nicholas Focessesco; two sisters, Roseann Goodall and Theresa Ferguson; and her niece, Jacqueline Trump.

She is survived by her two children, Becky (James) Haddle and Robert (Demetria) Soles; her husband, Doug Bose; her grandchildren, Kristin (Greg) Friend, Robby (Ashley) Soles, Bethany (Lauren) Haddle, Dylan (Briana) Soles, Kyle (Andrew) Haddle and Sienna Soles; and her great-grandchildren, Darrow Friend, Palmer Soles and Emma Haddle. She would have welcomed two more great-grandsons this summer.

She is also survived by her dear friend of 70 years, Janice Logue, and many other family members.

It’s difficult to sum up a larger-than-life personality in a few short paragraphs. The most important thing to know is that Barb loved fiercely and was loved fiercely in return by everyone in her life. While she will burn bright in our memories, the world is a little dimmer without her light.

The family will have a private memorial service to celebrate Barb’s life and love.

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