Barbara A. Belesky

Barbara Belesky was born December 20th, 1933, in Russell County, Kentucky. She grew up during the depression. While her father served on an oil tanker during WWll Barbara grew up on a farm. There she learned how to make do with whatever God blessed them with. After the war her family moved to Detroit as jobs were plentiful in the auto industry. Barbara married Pat Belesky in 1955. They had two children Michael and Leslie. Eventually they bought a house and they moved to Berkley Michigan.
Barbara was a traditional housewife. Her main responsibility was to raise her children.
She was devoted to her family. They were the most important things in her life. She taught them right from wrong. She also taught them to honor God and to respect other people. She taught them about love for each other. She taught them about obedience, but she also taught them that there were consequences for not doing as you were told.
She was a person of character. She sacrificed the things she needed so her children could have what they didn't necessarily need but wanted.
She was frugal with the money, yet there was always plenty of everything her family needed. Their clothes were always clean even though they may have had a patch here or there. There was always more than enough food on the table. The house was small but always clean and inviting.
Barbara was a proud woman but never sought accolades for herself. She always had a smile on her face and a pleasant spirit about her. Barbara was always kind and compassionate. She and Pat were faithful members of Central Free Will Baptist Church in Royal Oak. She made sure every Sunday that her children were dressed in their Sunday best and off the whole family went to church. It was there that her husband and two children came to know Christ as their savior.
Pat, her husband passed in February of 2003. Barbara lived an active life until her body gave way to arthritis, and she was confined to a wheelchair. Her last years was spent in an assisted living facility until around 2020 when it was determined that she needed around the clock care, and she was transferred to a nursing home in Lake Orion. Barbara took her last breath with her family by her side on Tuesday February 22nd.
Barbara was a wonderful Godly woman. We are sorry to see her go; she will be missed. Yet our faith tells us that she's in heaven filling her husband in about all the great grandchildren he never had the chance to meet.
So, mom, thank you. You were a good mother. God may have called you home but the legacy you left here on earth will never die. Rest assured you made a difference in your children's lives, and we will teach those things to our children and our grandchildren. Rest assured you made a difference.
Barbara is survived by her children; Michael (Pam) Belesky and Leslie (Larry) Upham, grandchildren; Lindsay (Chris) McHale, Troy (Sarah) Upham, Lora and Lisa Belesky, great grandchildren; Macy and Aniston McHale, Tyler and Zoe Upham and Landon and Mackenzie Belesky.
Visitation at Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home 2125 Twelve Mile Road in Berkley (two blocks west of Woodward Avenue) Friday, February 25th from 2 pm until time of service at 5 pm. Private burial will take place at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy 10 am Saturday, February 26th. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Masks are required to be worn in the funeral home at all times. No food or beverage are allowed in the building. Thank you for your understanding.