Barbara K. Palese

Barbara K. Palese,age 86, went peacefully to the Lord on August 3, 2023.
Barbara was born February 8, 1937 in Wilmington and lived there her entire life. Barbara spent her childhood running barefoot across her childhood home on Route 202, climbing trees, playing with her dogs and riding horses. Her father owned Hypoint Garage and she was his sidekick and could cuss right along with him. Her mother kept her in pretty little dresses which continued to her stunning outfits she thrived in wearing. Barbara loved her turquoise jewelry and wore rings on every finger. She was a graduate of P.S. DuPont Class of 1955.
She married Paul M. Palese and they were together for 58 years. They raised 7 children on Tenth Street in Little Italy. Barbara went back to work as a waitress in many restaurants in Wilmington and New Jersey. She learned to drive later in life, and once she did, she loved riding around listening to her favorite music and drinking her coffee; you never knew when she would show up at your door.
Her favorite holiday was Halloween and she loved to dress up every year. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and always had a joke or story to tell. Barbara stayed in touch with her childhood friends and later in life they enjoyed getting together for lunch and reminiscing.
Barbara will be greatly missed.
Barbara was predeceased by her father and mother, Herb and Pearla Norton; her brothers, Herb Jr. and William "Billy" Norton; her daughter, Lisa White; her son, Paul "Paulie" M. Palese III; and her granddaughter, Jennifer Grabowski.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Paul M. Palese; her children, Lauren Grabowski (Joe), Angela Nappi (Dave), Michele Palese (Victor), Matthew Palese (Melody), and Maria Letnianczyn (Jerry); her grandchildren, Richard Perez (Leslie), Todd Nappi (Nicole), Ryan Palese-Perez, Michelle Cunningham (Larry), Elizabeth Shank (Paul), Rudolph Perez, Matthew Cavender (Stephanie), Michael Grabowski, Jessie White (Joseph), Jerry Letnianczyn, Mackenzie Wilson, Marissa Wilson; and many great grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, August 10th, 2023 from 1-2pm at the Doherty Funeral Home, 1900 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806. A memorial service will begin at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Barbara's name to AccentCare Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Newark, DE 19713, www.seasonsfoundation.org
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