Barbara M. Polkowski

Barbara M. Polkowski, 79, of Estero, FL, died on October 2, 2024, at the Gulf Coast Medical Center after a brief illness. Barbara was born on May 30, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA a daughter of the late Kennard J. and Margaret C. (née Gerold) Koons. A former lifelong resident of Philadelphia, she had been a resident of Estero since 2012.
Barbara graduated from Holy Family High School in Bryn Mawr, PA, and then attended Misericordia Nursing College, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She then spent several years working as a surgical nurse at several hospitals. After raising her family, she returned to work at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia as their Director of Employee Health until her retirement.
She was a Parishioner at Our Lady of Light Catholic Community and volunteered for several years at Our Lady of Light Thrift Shop.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard J. Polkowski of Estero, FL; her children, Christine (Stephen) Cockerill of Sewell, NJ, Daniel Casullo of Punta Gorda, FL, and Lisa (Michael) Cestare of West Chester, PA. Also surviving are her three stepchildren, Delores (Kyle) Nagle of Lititz, PA, Stephen (Sandra) Polkowski, and John (Helmi) Polkowski of Stuttgart, Germany; her sister, Suzanne (Richard) Scharr of Concordville, PA; and 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1:30 PM at Our Lady of Light Catholic Community 19680 Cypress View Dr., Ft. Myers, FL 33967. After the Mass a reception for family and friends will be held in the Parish Life Center.
To sign her guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.