Barbara Hart Obituary

 

Barbara Claire (Sundberg) Hart passed away after a long illness on July 29, 2021. Born June 17, 1929 to Harold (Brix) and Myrtle Sundberg, Barbara grew up on Superior Street in Ishpeming next to her Simons’ relatives who gave this only child a close extended family throughout her life. Summers spent at Helen Lake and holidays with Charlotte, Colleen, Claudie, and Chuckie provided wonderful memories for Barbara. She enjoyed her childhood and teenage years as part of the Methodist Church and could play many hymns by heart on the piano and pump organ.

 

In the late 1940s, Barbara enrolled at Northern Michigan College of Education. After graduation, she taught for several years in both Marquette and Ishpeming, often reminiscing about her former students. She later enjoyed substitute teaching in Marquette.

 

While at Northern she met Marquette native William (Bill) Hart and thus began many years of attending football games and other sporting events as she cheered for her husband’s high school teams (and, of course, the Packers). Barbara and Bill built a home on Kaye Avenue in Marquette where they raised their two daughters with Barbara involved as room mother, Sunday School teacher, advisor to her daughters’ Jobs Daughters Bethel, supporter of her husband’s Masonic activities, and avid bridge player in her Wednesday night club. Later the couple moved to West Avenue where they enjoyed their bird carving business and the company of their grandchildren. She valued her time at the family’s camp on Lake Superior in Big Bay. During the last 8 years, Barbara resided at Mill Creek Assisted Living, where she was known for her fashionable dress, down to her matching shoes. She relished taking part in their many activities, especially Bingo.

 

She adored her grandchildren, Jennifer Hart (Jeff) Scaggs, Matthew Hart Orr, Melissa Claire (Tim) Yeh, and Andrew Gregory (Julie) Hartsmith. She loved being a part of their lives and carefully constructed many photo albums throughout the years to document their adventures. Barbara was thrilled to become a great grandmother to Bennett Gregory Hart Chander, Hudson Hart Orr, Clara Jane Yeh, and Rory Kathryn Hart Scaggs.

 

In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Barbara loved the dogs that had been an important part of her life. She asked their names be included in her obituary, but as there have been so many throughout the years her daughters have chosen to name only the dog that Barbara doted on throughout their childhood, the Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, Candy. She even kept a statue in honor of Candy in her Mill Creek apartment.

 

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, and her son-in-law Gregory Smith. She is survived by her daughters Kathy Hart and Claudia Hart, her son-in-law Mark LeBoeuf, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

 

The family is grateful for the wonderful care she received at Mill Creek. In her final days, Barbara was always served her favorite foods and the staff made sure she was dressed in her best clothing. She was treated with love and respect throughout her stay. We appreciate their kindness.

 

Given her love of dogs, memorials may be directed to Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS).

 

 

Written by K. Hart