Barbara Ann (Kinzner) Cleary



Barbara was born on May 9, 1930 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma to the late Frank and Ruth (Hammer) Kinzner and lived her entire 85 years in Tacoma. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School and Aquinas Academy and married Matthew Cleary, Sr., another St. Patrick’s graduate, in 1950. Barbara and Matt raised 7 children who all graduated from St. Patrick’s. The whole family camped every year at Lake Chelan State Park, often with friends and relatives, a tradition that continues today. Barbara was a stay at home mom and loved her trips with Dad to Reno, Knights of Columbus dances, camping trips to Black Lake, parties, and most of all, family events with their large extended families.

Barbara loved board games, such as Uno, Upwords, Trivial Pursuit, and Quiddler, and she was a champion player. She was an avid reader and also loved As the World Turns, Dancing with the Stars, Saturday Night Live, late night talk shows and game shows. She was a big fan of celebrities, especially Tom Jones, Mel Torme, Shirley MacLaine, and Bob Newhart (she has pictures posing with the last three!). She was a long time season ticket holder to the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle, which she attended with brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Donna Bailey, and a big fan of the Sonics, Seahawks and Huskies. She lived for her travels, especially cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and more.

Another of Mom’s favorite places to go was “The Riviera”, the family beach house in Key Center, where the 2nd, 3rd and now 4th generations of our family still congregate. Mom and Dad bought a patch of land, which the kids helped clear by pulling scotch broom by hand. Lodging started with a tent, advanced to a used trailer, and now a lovely cabin. It is the location so many fun family events and mom loved going for the night and enjoying the family there.

Barbara and her sisters managed to track down a large group of Kinzners living in present day Northern Italy, all German speaking and Austrian by heritage. She visited them in their homes near the Austrian border twice, and hosted 5th cousins Monika and Peter Kinzner, and Barbara Ann Kinzner in her condo. It was a great joy for her to keep in touch with them via email and letters.

Mom had a wicked sense of humor, and loved corny jokes. She craved anything chocolate, spent way too much money on “bling” (from rings to decorations on home shopping networks), and gave away too much money to every charity she ever heard of. She is famous for her gold purses and gold Nike shoes.

Barbara passed away peacefully on July 10, 2015 at St. Joseph’s hospital with her children and her sisters all present. Mom is in heaven enjoying a big party with all the family and friends there to welcome her.

Barbara was preceded in death by husband, Matt Sr.; daughter, Lisa; sister, Joan Hamilton; and brothers-in-law, Joe Hamilton, Bob Hayes, and Roy Burnsides. She is survived by sisters, Kathy (Bill) Truax, Ginny (Tony) Hoffman, and Mary Burnsides; brother, Mark (Donna) Bailey; her six children, Matthew Jr. (Debbie), Mark (Sue), Leslie (Kenn) Prosser, Michael (Becky), Christopher (Jhonele) and Kevin (Janet) Cleary. Mom is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Jessica (Kevin), Casey, Becca, Kyle (Megan), Kelly, Keegan, Lauren, Brittany (Justin), M’lis, Lindsey, Aidan, Monica, Kylie and Matthew; and three great-grandchildren, Mason, Dylan and Konnor. After husband Matt’s death, she became very close to long-time friend, Steve Cvitovich, enjoying many wonderful years with him and his family until his death in 2007.

Many people touched Barbara’s life and she felt so blessed by their love and support. The family thanks all the staff at St. Joseph Hospital who were so attentive to mom and accepting of our large family and other visitors.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 11:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home chapel. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.

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