Born on February 28, 1941, in Buffalo, she was a daughter of Melvin and Virginia (Griffin) Mack.

Barbara graduated in 1959 from South Park High School, Buffalo, New York. In 1973 she and her former husband Donald F. Gardon moved the family to “the Farm” in Black Creek, New York and she has resided in the area ever since. There were many experiences had at the farm for the kids Donnie, Bonnie, Kim, Anne, and Rachel. The many animals, the pond, the woods, the horses-Sandy, Shasta, Firecracker, and the opportunity to be close to nature made for precious memories. Barb did an amazing job of making that old weathered farmhouse a cozy home.

Barbara was a very creative and talented artist, decorative painter and seamstress. She worked in many houses in Cuba. She had a gift for making things beautiful and better with very few resources. She would get a twinkle in her eyes and say “paint is the best thing ever invented.” She helped all of her children with painting and making their homes nice and this brought her great joy. She loved thrift strores and yard sales, and finding treasures for her loved ones. Her flowers, the colors of the trees and the sky made her so happy, and in most recent years she would love to say “aren’t the colors the most amazing they have ever been.”

Barbara was a woman of many talents and in between painting and decorating she also worked at Moonwinks, the Cuba Patriot, the Cuba Cheese Shoppee, and Strzelec’s farm.

On June 20, 1999, Barbara married Gary A. Pratt, her beloved husband who survives. They had many adventures and trips together and with family and friends, including a cruise to Hawaii, a motorhome trip out West to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone, visits to Wanakena, New York, and a trip to Bar Harbor. They have spent the last 26 years going to Hobe Sound, Florida in the winters. They always had their little dog with them, the most recent being Odie. There is also a special place in their hearts for Molly and Abby.

Barb touched the lives of many with her unwavering faith, resilience, kindness, and love. She taught her children and grandchildren to love always, to never give up and to put our faith in Jesus. May we continue to carry on what she has taught us, to our children and to those around us, and to remember what she always said “Be patient and God always gives us what we need.” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children; Donald (Mary) Gardon of Colden, Bonnie (Thomas) Stolberg of Cuba, Kim (Lon) Kent of Cherry Creek, New York, Anne (Dale) St. John of Madison, OH, Rachel (Mike) Ponka of Cuba, her step children Tim (Lan) Pratt of Tampa, Florida, Caren (Brian) Donovan of Wanakena, New York, her Grandchildren Kelly, Laura, Pierce, Nolan, Carly, Sarah, Grace, Amanda, Jesse, Ethan, Erin, Emily, Ryan, Noah, Andrew, Jordan, Gavin, McKensi, Kaitlin, Cory, Daniel, Katherin, and Ella; 23 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings Richard and Melvin Mack and Diane Dougherty.

Friends will be received at the North Park Wesleyan Church, 32 Spring Street, Cuba on Sunday, September 28, 2025 from 2-4 P.M.  A Church Service will begin at 4:00 P.M.  Rev. Jonathan D. Ward, will officiate.

Burial will be in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, New York on Monday, September 29, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to the North Park Wesleyan Church.