Obituary of Barbara Ann Warsinsky

Barbara Ann (nee Wotring) Warsinsky, age 92, entered the Gates of Heaven - reuniting with her beloved husband Ed, Dec 5, 2023. Barbara was born in her actual family home on October 2, 1931. She was the youngest (and last surviving member) of the 8 children of Daniel Jefferson Wotring and Madge Chloe (nee Mundell) Wotring. She was graduated from Morgantown High School in 1949. She then attended West Virginia University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Health, followed by a Master's Degree in both as well. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority, and was active in Kappa Phi, a Methodist sorority through Wesley Foundation. She was the sweetheart of the Methodist fraternity, Sigma Theta Epsilon. Once she finished her degrees, she accepted a Phys Ed teaching job in Ashtabula, OH, which would prove fortuitous. Barbara had a blind date with a gentleman to attend his office Christmas party in Dec, 1957. He was quickly smitten…she was slower to be enamored. It wasn't long, however, before her father reported every phone call she made home included multiple references to "Ed said this," and "Ed said that." In May, 1958 Barbara Wotring and Ed Warsinsky became engaged, and were married the following October. Ed accepted a position with Sterling Faucet, and the pair returned to Morgantown, where their first daughter arrived in October, 1959. Three more daughters were born, and the family was complete. Barbara kept busy as a stay-at-home mom who helped with school activities, eventually returning to teaching when her youngest was in elementary school. In 1985, Barbara and Ed created a flourishing business - Warsinsky Decorators - and enjoyed it until Ed's death in 2000. When a particularly intriguing order would arrive, Barbara was famous to say, "Ooh! Wouldn't Mary Ann (or Arlene, or Jackie, or Libby, etc) love to have one of these?" Ed's reply? "Barbara, this is not a not-for-profit-gift-giving business." Barbara and Ed were supportive parents of their daughters' activities. To that end, and at the request of band director Michael Roberts, they developed the MHS Band's patron program - still thriving today. At the request of band director Don Wilcox, they served as the WVU Marching Band's official photographers from 1975 to 2000. They reveled in taking movies and stills of the band, and greatly enjoyed traveling with the band. Barbara also loved her WVU sports. To her final days, she dressed in blue and gold, and stayed up - no matter the hour - cheering for her teams. For close to 70 years, Barbara was a member of an exclusive club called, "The Birthday Girls." Six members strong (with no invitation ever given to daughters desperate to be considered even junior members), these 6 ladies were a united force for fabulous, fiercely-loving, faithful, friendship - in good times and bad. Barbara joined Wesley United Methodist Church as a young girl, and would remain an active member her entire life. She was in a Circle (prayer group), served on countless committees, and was married there. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her husband, children, and grandchildren benefited greatly from the billions of things she did, large and small, to enrich their lives. She was a confidante. She was an outstanding cook. She had a world class smile. She adored her extended family, and her husband's extended family. She led by example. She was a positive life force, and she looked for the best in everyone. She welcomed all to her home. If someone showed up unexpectedly for dinner, another plate was set, and a pork chop was cut in half. She epitomized, "Come when you can, and welcome when you come." In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by 5 brothers: Earnie (Edna), Daniel (Eve), James (Rosalie), Donald (Mary), and Bill (Taffy); and 2 sisters: Mary (Shafer) and Eleanor (Elmore). She was preceded in death by her in-laws, Albert and Leah Warsinsky, and by her beloved husband, A. Edward Warsinsky. She was also preceded in death by several well-loved nieces and nephews. Barbara is survived by her four daughters: Leah (Mike) Bolyard, Eleanor (Jim) Green, Suzanne, and Rebecca (Chris Brooks). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Kasey (Lonnie) Long, Julie Green, Lindsay (Logan) Powroznik, Stephen Green, Leanna, Nonee and Noah High. Dressing in WVU blue and gold is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mountaineer Marching Band in one of two ways: Checks payable to the WVU Foundation and mailed to the WVU College of Creative Arts, PO Box 6111, Morgantown, WV 26506, or if wishing to donate specifically to the new practice facility, follow this link and dedicate in memory of Barbara: https://give.wvu.edu/give/415566/#!/donation/checkout Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Friday, December 15th from 4pm – 7pm. Visitation will continue at Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 N. High St., Morgantown, on Saturday, December 16th from 12:30pm until the time of the funeral service at 1:30pm, with Rev. Martha Ognibene officiating. Interment will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown. Online condolences can be made to the family at hastingsfuneralhome.com