Barbara Louise Brooks (née Bliefernich) died, held in love, on January 3, 2026 following a long illness. Barbara was born the youngest of five children to Dorothy and Fred Bliefernich in Staten Island, NY. She graduated from Curtis High School and worked in Manhattan after graduation. She earned her Undergrad and Master’s Degrees in social work and enjoyed a career in medical social work, first for a hospital in southern New Jersey, working with dialysis patients, and then in Arizona, at Fresenius dialysis centers. She received great satisfaction from her work with her patients and enjoyed her work profoundly. She is remembered for her love of thrifting and crafting, her big laugh, her love for her friends, and above all for her great love for her family.
She is survived by her three children: Kevin (Heidi) Ruff of Phoenix, AZ; Tim Ruff of Phoenix, AZ; and Katie Irwin Ruff of Barryville, NY. She is remembered with love by her grandchildren - William, Henry, and Caroline - her siblings Mary Ann O’Shea, Robert and Carol Bliefernich, Freddy and Jan Bliefernich, and Carol Ann Bliefernich, and many, many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she cherished.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother John Bliefernich.
She wanted the song “I Can Only Imagine” played after her death. The lyrics to that song include: “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus? Or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? …I can only imagine when that day comes. And I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You! I can only imagine!"
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Camp Koinonia in NY in Barbara's memory: https://www.koinoniany.org or Camp Koinonia, 165 Lakeview Dr., Highland Lake, NY 12743
A memorial service will be held on May 31, 2026 at Camp Koinonia's Chapel in the Pines in Highland Lake, NY. Contact family for specific time as date gets closer.
She is survived by her three children: Kevin (Heidi) Ruff of Phoenix, AZ; Tim Ruff of Phoenix, AZ; and Katie Irwin Ruff of Barryville, NY. She is remembered with love by her grandchildren - William, Henry, and Caroline - her siblings Mary Ann O’Shea, Robert and Carol Bliefernich, Freddy and Jan Bliefernich, and Carol Ann Bliefernich, and many, many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she cherished.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother John Bliefernich.
She wanted the song “I Can Only Imagine” played after her death. The lyrics to that song include: “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You Jesus? Or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? …I can only imagine when that day comes. And I find myself standing in the Son. I can only imagine when all I will do is forever, forever worship You! I can only imagine!"
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Camp Koinonia in NY in Barbara's memory: https://www.koinoniany.org or Camp Koinonia, 165 Lakeview Dr., Highland Lake, NY 12743
A memorial service will be held on May 31, 2026 at Camp Koinonia's Chapel in the Pines in Highland Lake, NY. Contact family for specific time as date gets closer.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Louise Brooks, please visit our flower store.
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