Barbara Maria Puma

Barbara Maria Puma, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, was born on March 29, 1941, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She left this world peacefully at her home in Beverly Hills, Florida, on February 4, 2025, at the age of 83. Barbara's life was a testament to strength, independence, and love, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Albina Ricardo, and her brothers William Sutton, Louis Paolinelli, and Richard Ricardo, Barbara's family was central to her life. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Maria Puma, and her cherished granddaughter, Liliana Puma. Barbara also leaves behind her loving sisters, Patricia Ricardo-Gilbert and Richalien LeGrand, and her brother, Jim Sutton.
Barbara's early life was marked by a strong academic foundation; she graduated college with a Bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1962. Her professional journey began at Johnson and Johnson as a chemist, and her passion for knowledge led her to return to school, where she became a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. She dedicated her career to helping others in this field until her retirement in 2010.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Barbara was a woman of remarkable character. She was known for her brilliant mind and her fierce independence. Her friends and family will remember her as a woman who was funny, full of love, and a warrior in the face of life's challenges. Barbara had a compassionate heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. She was, simply put, "The Best."
Barbara was an adventurer at heart. She loved life and embraced every opportunity to explore the world around her. Her passion for travel took her on wonderful cruises and memorable trips to Italy and Israel, experiences that she treasured deeply. Her unwavering faith in God was the guiding light of her life, illuminating the path she traveled and touching the lives of everyone she met.
A funeral service to honor Barbara's remarkable life will be held on March 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Crystal River, Florida.
A committal service will be held on March 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you take a moment to reflect on Barbara's life and the joy she brought to the world, perhaps by sharing a story or a fond memory of her with those who knew and loved her.
Barbara Maria Puma's legacy will live on through her family and friends, who will carry her spirit in their hearts forever. May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love she so freely gave to others.