Barbara Palkoski

Barbara Palkoski of Whitmore Lake, MI, age 72, passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was born October 15, 1946 the daughter of Walter and Regina Lesowyk in Detroit, MI. Barbara met Thomas Palkoski during high school while they both lived in the Warrendale neighborhood of Detroit. They were married on October 28, 1967. In 1980 they settled in the Dexter/Whitmore Lake area. Barbara worked on the assembly line and retired from Ford Motor Company Wayne Integrated Stamping Plant. She was a member of UAW Local 900. She was also an Independence Lake Association Trustee for many years. Barbara also started the Rotonda Lakes Neighborhood Watch Program, as well as volunteered often with Dexter Schools and Dexter Girl Scout Troops. She had a strong interest with local politics and law in Webster Township. She was an activist in Saving the Trees on N. Territorial Rd in 2018 and also in ending the Road Commission Herbicide Spray Program in Washtenaw County in 2019. Barbara loved traveling the world, visiting National Parks, bird watching (especially eagles and hummingbirds), planting flowers, gardening and enjoying dinners with friends. She had a real love for nature and all animals, her favorites being dogs and horses. Barbara enjoyed horseback riding, boating, downhill and cross country skiing and horse racing. She was a creative force and always stylish. She loved art and fashion and took real pride in her appearance as she never went anywhere without her hair being done. She was a pinecone wreath artist for many years. She enjoyed researching family histories, genealogy and did scrapbooking. She loved antiques, shopping and was always on the look out for the best deal. She loved classic cars and cruising! She always had the coolest vehicles! She was generous, very sweet, intelligent, always teaching and giving advice. She had many wonderful friends and the best neighbors. She was funny and laughed at everything. Barbara was a woman of strength. She had a winning combination of determination and a positive attitude. This she credits her success in activism. Her sentiment was "The squeaky wheel gets the oil." She fought a long hard battle with cancer to the very last day and never gave up. Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Tom; her most cherished daughter, Sheila; three brothers, Lawrence, Walter and William Lesowyk; two sisters, Linda (Lesowyk) Heslop and Elizabeth (Holmes) Ferrence; two aunts, Gerry Wolf and Vera Kolotila; special best friends, Jeanie Podrasky, Maryann Dezzi Pinto and Ingrid Ankofski. She was preceded in death by her parents and many other aunts and uncles. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be spread in the Redwood Forest. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.