Kathleen BARBER

16 OCT 1935 - 29 JUL 2012

• BIRTH: 16 OCT 1935, Cobh, Co Cork Ireland
• BURIAL: Florida National Cemetery, Tampa, FL
• DEATH: 29 JUL 2012, Tampa, Hillsborough, FL

• MARRIAGE: 25 APR 1955, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N4091] Kathleen Stepniewski
Oct. 16, 1935 - July 29, 2012
SOUTH BEND - Kathleen Stepniewski, 76, of Tampa, Florida and formerly of South Bend, Indiana went to her Lord on July 29, 2012. Kathleen was born in Cobh, Co Cork Ireland on October 16, 1935 to Alexander and Julia Barber, who preceded her in death. Kathleen is survived by her husband, Sigmund (Ziggy), and daughter, Cece McKiernan, both of Tampa; three sisters, Sr. Marie Therese Barber of St. Joseph's Convent, Lichfield, England, May McKiernan (Louis) and Martha Bremer of Cobh, Ireland; a brother, Andrew (Arlene) Barber of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and dozens of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and great grand-nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Caroline of Iowa, Betty of England & Annette of Cobh, Ireland, and brothers, Harry and Ben of Cobh, Ireland. Kathleen was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and the Padre Pio Prayer Group. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 1, 2012 from 6-8:00 p.m., with funeral service on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., both at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Avenue, Tampa. A reception will follow the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow the reception at Florida National Cemetery. Kathleen was a vivacious and caring person but was struck with ovarian cancer at a young age. Treatment for the cancer weakened her body but not her spirit. She was deeply devoted to Our Lady of Fatima who, in 1917, revealed a message that souls are lost after death because no prayers are offered for them. She then dedicated her life to prayer. Kathleen would say, "I thank God for my cross of sickness for it has brought me so close to Jesus." Kathleen never became famous in the world's eyes, she never won the Nobel Prize or became a great orator to move men's minds, she never was a diva singing the aria at the opera, or did any spectacular feat on earth, and she won't have long lines of humanity passing her in sorrow. She has something much better; all the saints and angels she prayed with will be there saying, "Welcome home Kathleen, you ran a great race. You have just won the greatest and most important prize of all, salvation forever in your Heavenly Home." In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her honor to Life Path Hospice, 3010 W. Azelle, Tampa, FL 33605. We will forever be grateful to that organization for helping us allow Kathleen to pass peacefully at home. Please sign the online guest book at www.BlountCurryMacDill.com.
Published in South Bend Tribune on July 31, 2012