Barbara Ruth Bochenek

Born March 3, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan
Departed February 24, 2024 in West Melbourne, Florida

Barbara Ruth Bochenek went home to be with the Lord on February 24, 2024 after a long battle with dementia.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 3, 1941 to Donald Wesley Neil and Eleanor Lucille (Brown) Neil.
Barbara had a sweet and gentle spirit. She had the opportunity to stay home with her children when they were school aged and that made her the Mom for all the friends and neighborhood kids. Her caring spirit made her easy to talk to and her home was always a welcome place.

She loved God and enjoyed hosting a youth group in her home, visiting assisted living facilities, and sharing music and scripture.

When her kids were older she went to work as a server at a Coney Island restaurant. She enjoyed visiting with her regulars and coworkers and spreading her kind and caring nature.

Among other interests she enjoyed gardening, painting, fishing, golfing and home decorating. She is best known as a loving mother and grandma.

She is survived by her four daughters Donna Gendjar (Brian Marsh) of Melbourne, Florida, Linda (Aaron) Cohen of Howell, Michigan, Laura Woodbury of Palm Bay, Florida and Paula (Keith) Cupp of Eaton Rapids, Michigan; stepchildren Leonard (Karen) Bochenek of Grosse Isle, Michigan and Cathy Kozlowski of Dearborn, Michigan; 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings are Jim (Dianne) Neil, Jack (Sandy) Neil and Pat (Cal) Underwood along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leonard Bochenek; parents Don and Eleanor Neil, brother Fred Neil; sister Margaret Smith and son-in-law Mark Woodbury.

A memorial service and interment will take place at a later date a Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, Michigan.