Barbara Ann Malocha

Barbara Ann Malocha, of Tawas City, formerly a resident of Saginaw, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026 at MyMichigan Hospital in Tawas City, age 85 years. Barbara was born on January 13, 1941 in Detroit to Theodore Z. and Sophie A. (Braciszewski) Pankowski. After graduation from Felician Academy High School, Barbara attended Madonna College for 2 years and later, Great Lakes Jr. College. She worked during her professional career as a medical secretary, transcriptionist, and administrative assistant. Barbara's personal accomplishments are: Servant of the Lord, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister-in-law, Sibling, and Friend. She was a faithful and beloved parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in East Tawas and was beloved by her neighborhood community in Tawas. She enjoyed crocheting, reading detective and mystery novels, and playing pinochle and board games. Barbara enjoyed walking outdoors and greeting her neighbors with a wave and a smile. She was a life-long fan of horses, eventually learning English-style riding and volunteering at a therapeutic horse ranch. Barbara married Alex R. Malocha, on July 14, 1962 at St. Louis The King Parish in Detroit, Michigan. Together they celebrated nearly 63 years of marriage until Alex's passing in 2025. Barbara is also preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Sophie Pankowski; brothers, Ted and Thomas Pankowski; sister, Margaret Baugh (Pankowski); and 2 nieces, Lynette and Jamie Bilbro. Barbara is survived by her 8 loving children, Michael and Michele Malocha of North Carolina, Ralph Malocha of Pinconning, Mark and Vikki (Pouzar) Malocha of Traverse City, Paul Malocha of Detroit, Mary Malocha of Saginaw, Kenneth and Raquel (Duimstra) Malocha of Traverse City, Thomas Malocha of Linwood, and Rachel Kolstad of Saginaw; 6 grandchildren, Michael Jr, Maxwell, Mark II, James, Jacob and Skylar; nieces and nephews, Stanley Baugh, Ed Baugh, Thea Felice, Mary Smith, Kathy Hernandez, David Pankowski, and Jessica Lowther. Visitation for Barbara is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas, with a Rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM that evening. Her funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25th at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in East Tawas. Barbara's family will welcome friends for a time of visitation at church on Wednesday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of mass. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in East Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Saginaw on Thursday at 1:00 PM. Those wishing to express their condolences through a memorial donation are encouraged to consider a gift to either Holy Family Catholic Church of East Tawas or the Harbor Lights Pregnancy Center at 310 Newman Street, East Tawas, MI. 48730 in Barbara's honor. An online guest registry is available to leave a message of love and support for Barbara's family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.