Barbara Kostoff

Barbara Jane Kostoff

Port Huron

Barbara Jane Kostoff, 79, died peacefully at her home in Port Huron, MI on August 7, 2014. Barb was born in Iowa City, IA to Dr. Milo and Jane Reed and grew up in Galesburg, IL. She attended Villa de Chantal private school, Depauw University and graduated from University of Michigan, where she belonged to Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, in 1956 with a degree in liberal arts. Later in her life she spent her winters in Sarasota, FL.

Barb is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Harold Kostoff, M.D., whom she met at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Harry and Barb married in 1955. Barb is survived by her sister Joan Mcfall of Independence, MO; brother John Reed of San Francisco, CA; loving sons William Reed Kostoff of Arlington, VA; James Gregg Kostoff of Port Huron, MI; and grandchildren Jessica Rose Kostoff, Corey Reed Kostoff, and Alexis Gabrielle Kostoff.

Barb was involved with many volunteer efforts throughout her life. She was proficient in both the piano and the harp. She was a lifelong sailor and started competing with Harry and her family in races throughout the Great Lakes including both the Chicago and Port Huron Mackinac events. Barb became a pioneer and leader in the area of race management as the 'Chairman of Race Management' for USYRU, the governing body for sailing in the US, where she managed national and international regattas as well as authored a manual on how to properly run races. Barb was also involved locally as a chairperson for the Port Huron Town Hall and was Woman of the Year in 1968, and member of the Garden Club for many decades. She had a love for animals that continued as a volunteer at a bird sanctuary in Sarasota, FL and raised several Portuguese Water Dogs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in Holy Trinity Parish - St. Stephen Catholic Church. The Reverend Brian K. Cokonougher will officiate.

Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2014 in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the time of service in the church. A Vigil Service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to the memorial fund at the Port Huron Yacht Club.

For information and guestbook please visit karrersimpson.com.