Barbara Jean Yanick

Barbara Jean Yanick (Weise) - A Life Remembered

Barbara Jean Yanick, a beloved matriarch, peacefully passed away on November 8, 2023, at the age of 91. Born on June 27, 1932, to John and Marguerite Weise, she was the eldest daughter, and cherished sister to Jack and Rick Weise and Carole Bernsen.

An honors graduate of Incarnate Word Academy in 1950, Barbara embarked on a lifelong journey that epitomized love, devotion, and service to family and community. At 20 years of age, she married her first love, Robert Yanick, beginning a remarkable 66-year journey together.

The first three years of their union were spent in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Robert was stationed in the U.S. Navy. Their son, Robert Jr., was born in 1953, marking the start of a beautiful family. Returning to the States in 1956, the Yanick family grew with the adoption of their baby girl, Maria Christine, in 1970.

Barbara was a devout Catholic and found that her true calling lay in her dedication to the pro-life movement. She served as the Pro-Life Chairwoman at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, tirelessly advocating for the sanctity of life.

Her green thumb and love for nature were manifested in her massive rose garden, the careful cultivation of tomatoes, and caring for and feeding the birds. She especially relished being outdoors and on trout fishing trips with her husband and family at Bennett Springs.

She was an avid cook, delighting in preparing meals for her family with her recipes that have remained family favorites over generations. Yet, her greatest joy came from her role of grandma and babysitting her grandchildren, creating cherished memories and bonds that would last a lifetime. This could only be topped by the immense happiness she had for watching each of her great grandchildren grow.

Barbara was a vibrant soul who enjoyed life's simple pleasures, enjoying a good meal, watching game shows, playing games, listening to music of all genres, and indulging her sweet tooth usually with a bit of dark chocolate or whipping up an ice cream cone. She loved her city and all it had to offer, including enjoying days at the Zoo with her grandkids and sharing her love of theater at the St. Louis Repertory Theater with loved ones. Barbara's zest for life extended to her passion for sports, as a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, she attended many games with family and friends like her Red Hat Ladies. When she couldn’t be at the games, she boisterously cheered on all her St. Louis sports teams from the comfort of her living room, intermittently calling up family to talk about some amazing or not so amazing plays.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, Marguerite and John Weise, her husband, Robert Sr., and her daughter, Maria. She is survived by her son, Bob Jr., his wife and honorary daughter, Debbie Yanick, as well as her four grandchildren: Nicole (Jason) Thomas, Bobby (Danielle) Yanick, Scott (Anita) Yanick, and Ashley Yanick. Barbara is also remembered by her eight great-grandchildren: Colton and Charlotte Thomas, Adelyn, Brinley, Cambree and Etta Jane Yanick, Makayla and Melanie Yanick.

 

A memorial Mass to celebrate Barbara's life will be held at 10 am on Monday, November 20, 2023 at

Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church

10235 Ashbrook Dr., Bellefontaine Neighbors, 63137.

Interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery at 1:45 PM.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Barbara’s honor to Birthright of St. Louis:

 

Birthright Counseling STL

2525 S. Brentwood Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63144

Birthrightstl.org

 

Barbara's commitment to life and family will continue to shine through the lives she touched, and her memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.