Barbara J. Angeli

ANGELI, Barbara J. Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Age 95. Dearest mother of Alicia "Lee" (Dennis) Erfourth, Benjamin (Dee) Tefend, Mary Sue (Frank) Nagy, Laura Jean (the late Rev. Matthew) Montgomery, and Gregory (Sherry) Tefend. Cherished grandmother of 11, and proud great-grandmother of 3. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Adeline Angeli, and her siblings Gloria (Fred) Wiggins, Betty (Peter Vanbeers, Henry (Polly) Angeli, and Tom (Ione) Angeli. Barbara spent her youth with her four siblings and parents at her family’s lake home in Lake Orion, where she enjoyed both swimming and boating. As a student, she played the violin in her school orchestra and was drum majorette in high school. Having extraordinary talent, especially in art, she won the National Scholastic “Draw Me” contest, which included a scholarship. Thereafter, she transferred to Cass Technical High School in Detroit where she majored in art. After attending high school, Barbara secured several art commissions (usually portraiture) from both professionals and clergy, as well as extended family. Her realistic style in both paint and colored pencil, being so precise, was often mistaken as a photograph. Art was not her only passion. In addition to her lifelike paintings, Barbara mastered sewing such that she was able to make many outfits for her children and grandkids. She also dabbled in woodworking, which she utilized to construct built-in bookcases, display cabinets for her ‘Art and Home’ business, a bed for her first grandchild (Jeremy), and decorative wall carvings. These are but some of her many achievements. Raising five children by herself somewhat limited her career aspirations, which resulted in her working as a floral designer among other short stints. Nevertheless, she enrolled in writing courses and had poems published in several poetry anthologies, contributed to many Opinion Articles in the Oakland Press, and even wrote a novel “The Godmother” (yet to be published). Barbara was passionate about everything she purposed to do — from bowling to baking or Scrabble to chess — her standard was excellence and competition fierce. As Barbara saw our country heading in an immoral direction, her patriotism and love of our Lord Jesus “compelled” her to write to Congress, which was her fifty year endeavor until her ninety fifth birthday. Notwithstanding her zeal for God and country, it was her family who was the ultimate recipient of her loving devotion, which she gave her all to until her strength and sight no longer allowed. Visitation Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 at 10am until time of Funeral Service at 11am at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Rd). Barbara will be laid to rest at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy, Michigan. Donations preferred to the American Center for Law and Justice. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com

Barbara J. Angeli

September 9, 1930 - April 14, 2026