Barbara Kell

Barbara Kell, 82, of Buffalo, NY, passed away on Feb 13, 2026, in Marietta, Georgia from complications from a stroke.

Barbara was born to two Christ-centered parents who shared their love the Lord and raised her to be baptized and confirmed. She grew up at St. Paul Cathedral in Buffalo, where her parents were active members. This included a family tradition for multiple generations of singing in the world-renowned Children's Choir. She was an avid swimmer growing up, including swimming on the high school swim team, synchronized swim team and a love of ice skating.

Barbara met the love of her life, Jack, during her sophomore year of high school where they had love at first sight. They shared a love that spanned nearly 70 years. They have been inseparable since being high school sweethearts until his passing in 2024. They both graduated from Kensington High School in 1961.

Barbara's passion for helping others and her innate need to make a difference, led her to attend and graduate from the Millard Filmore School of Nursing. She talked fondly of the regimented & challenging nursing education she received and the lifelong friends she made during nursing school. After moving to Georgia for dad's job at Western Electric in Marietta – she was employed as a nurse at Kennestone Hospital. Setting the stage for multiple generations of her family to also be born and some to also be employed by what is now known as Wellstar Health System.

After settling down, Barbara decided to focus on raising her family and gave up her nursing career. She clearly showed her family that she had no regrets about this as she used this time to raise 2 boys and used this time to become active in various roles including local & national PTA leadership. PTA was another area where she made lifelong friends. Barbara also supported all her husband's and son's activities, including becoming the world's best team mom known for her baking skills. Barbara was an ardent supporter of all her children and grandchildren's events, and she never missed a marching band competition, track meet, swim meet, etc. She was known for arriving hours before any performance, event or sport to reserve best seats and she cheered louder than anyone else for her family and their friends.

Barbara also missed her second calling in life for her skills at connecting with people and her sales abilities, including her successful tenure as a sales leader Sarah Coventry & Avon. When her kids were involved in sports and band, she would work tirelessly to ensure that their fundraisers were not only be able to fund expenses, but she was always the top seller – even sending both kids to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYC off a fruit sale fund raiser. Mom's other passions were centered around her love of gambling – slot machines, lottery and bingo. She and Jack were known to travel to Birmingham for all day bingo games and she won her fair share of jackpots over the years.

She is survived by her sons, John (Donna) and Michael (Kris), his grandchildren, Joshua (Kristi), Andrew, and Kaitlyn, and his great-grandson, Halen. Barbara was also cherished by her nephews David (Ali) & Andrew and their children Cameron & Alexander. She was preceded in death by her soul mate and high school love, John N. Kell, Sr, her parents Howard & Drusilla Rose, her husband's parents George & Rita Kell, and her sister Dolly, her brother-in-law Peter & her nephew Christopher Tamutus.

Barbara will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who were blessed to know her, but her love, passion for life and her role as a matriarch for her family/friends will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her.