Barbara Ann Bukowski

On November 6th, 2025, we said goodbye to our dearest Busia after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
She was born on September 9th, 1940, in Bay City to Florence and John Suchodolski. She married Daniel Bukowski on September 9th, 1961 and they celebrated more than 55 years of marriage before his passing. Barb worked at All Saints Central High School in the foundation office for many years before retiring.
Barb was a caring, present, and supportive mother to her 6 children. She liked being a mother but she loved being a grandmother even more to her 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She loved her family fiercely and was the light that helped guide them through life. Barb had a fiery, sassy spirit that could light up any room. She spoke her mind with humor and heart, never afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Beneath that spark was a deep kindness - she always had a soft spot for the underdog and found a way to lift others up, often when they needed it most.
Monday night dinners were a specialty at Barb's house and "if she cooked for one, she cooked for 100," always welcoming whoever was hungry. Holidays and birthdays were always made special for her family, and she worked tirelessly to surround them with love, laughter and the best desserts. Cookie decorating days were some of her grandchildren's most cherished memories, full of frosting, sprinkles and endless sugar highs.
Second only to her love for her family, was her love for a cigarette, a matching sweatsuit, and BINGO, which she played religiously. Luck frequently followed Barb on trips to the casino, accompanied by some of her closest family and friends, filling her heart with unmatched joy. Lessons in cards, during which Barb was usually triumphant, taught her children and grandchildren to never give up and the value of paying attention. Barb's spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Surviving Barb are her children, Brian Bukowski, Michelle (Jeff) Howell, Kim (Patrick) Rokosz, and Brenda (Carlos) Montoya; grandchildren, Samantha (Christopher Kalahar) Schoenick, Jonathon (Lauren) Foldie, Brooke (Adam) Olson, Paige (Mike) Buss, Jade (Jeremy) Schuchardt, Seth (Paige) Howell, Alexa, Carlos, and Isabella Montoya; great grandchildren Zandar, Beckham, Declan, Piper, Clay, Bentley, Eddie, Hayes, Charlie, and Baby Foldie. She was predeceased by her husband Daniel, two children Julie and Jeffrey Bukowski, brothers and sisters-in-law James (Irene) and Paul (Fran) Suchodolski and in-laws James (Colleen) Bukowski.
A special thank you to the amazing team at Bayfield Assisted Living who helped make Barb's last year an unforgettable one as well as the team at Corso Care Hospice who helped to make Barb's final days peaceful for both her and her family.
Friends may visit Ambrose Funeral Home in Bay City on Monday, November 10th from 2-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7 P.M. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 11th at 11 A.M. with a viewing at 10 A.M. at St Jude Thaddeus Parish, St. John's Catholic Church. Fr. Dale Orlik will celebrate.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at Alzheimer's Association, Care of Bayfield Assisted Living, 3932 Monitor Rd, Bay City, MI 48706 or to the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, 713 9th St, Bay City, MI 48708.