Photo courtesy of Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel - Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Sep 8, 1943 – Jul 25, 2025
BARBARA HEDWIG KUBIAK of Hobart, Indiana, passed away July 25, 2025. She was born in Poland on September 8, 1943 to Telesfor Stanley and Helen Kubiak, and emigrated with her family to America in 1948, settling in Gary, Indiana. Barb graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1961, obtained a B.A. in English from Indiana University, followed by master’s degrees in 1972 and 1982. She went on teach in Gary schools from 1965-1983, was the librarian at IU Northwest from 2007-2016. Barb enjoyed traveling to Europe, a lifelong passion, and visiting relatives in Poland and Sweden.
She is preceded in death by her parents and infant brother, Jurek.
She is survived by brother, Andrew; sister, Elizabeth (Tim) Swank of St. Louis, MO; and nephews, Christopher (Melissa), Peter (Diane) Swank, and their children.
Barb was a member of St. Hedwig and St. Joseph the Worker churches in Gary, Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Merrillville, the Polish National Alliance Madam Curie Circle Lodge 3134, ISTA Teachers Union, and the Lake County Retired Teachers Association.
There will be private services for Barbara with burial at Calvary Cemetery.
RIP, beloved sister and friend, Basia
Read MoreBarbara was my dear friend. We spent many years at Hanover Central High School and continued our friendship after we both retired. Her dedication to her library was immense. I will miss you Barb. God Bless you; rest in peace dear friend.
Jean Kirk
August 10, 2025 | Friend
Our deepest sympathy at the loss of Barbara. May she rest in peace.
Tom & Stasia (Mastalski) Wefler
August 04, 2025 | Friend
Barb was my Senior Prom date. We went our separate ways after graduating from Lew Wallace. We reconnected after I retired. We exchanged many stimulating and thought-provoking emails.
Bob Trella
August 04, 2025 | Peoria, AZ | Friend
Barb--so dedicated to doing anything/everything in the best/most effective way way, be it teaching her students or supporting her family or studying to develop her already learned mind..In essence, she was always seeking to learn and improve. May she rest in peace after a life so honorably lived--
Loni Dorall
August 03, 2025 | Work
Sarah Munier Williamson
August 01, 2025 | Murphy, NC | Coworker
Gerry and Holly Sampson
July 30, 2025 | Friend
Barb was one of my best friends when we both were employedat Hanover Central high school in Cedar Lake, Indiana. She was an extremely dedicated employee, exceptionally intelligent and loyal as a friend. She will be missed and remembered.
Steve Landis
July 30, 2025 | Wheatfield, IN | Friend
Rest in peace my lifelong friend. I recall being in the Girl Scouts with you when we both attended St. Joseph School together. We both graduated from Lew Wallace in 1961.My condolences to your family. May you rest in the arms of Our Lord.Farewell for now.
Karen Terry
July 29, 2025 | Merrillville, IN | Friend
Basia and I were diametrically opposed. With that, she helped me understand who I am. In this world is it up to us, I guess, to figure out the answers that we may never truly understand as why we are actually here. I just know I will miss her little smirk smile, all of her "problems" that were easy to figure out and the way she had to explain a concept 5 different ways to make sure you learned and/or understood. All the while her pronunciation, syntax and word preference was always perfect...
Eric Pace
July 27, 2025 | Gary