July 11, 1936 - January 2, 2023
Denver, Colorado—Barbara Rosa D’Atri, loving mother, grandmother (Nonna) and great-grandmother (Bisnonna) passed away peacefully in Denver on January 2, 2023. Barbara was born July 11, 1936, in Canton, Ohio to Alexander and Donna Helwig D’Atri. She grew up in Hartville, Ohio and graduated from Hartville High School in 1954 and Lake Erie College in 1959.
Above all, Barbara was a dedicated, passionate, playful, deeply loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was her family’s greatest support, whether cheering a bike race or other sporting event, applauding a ballet or orchestra performance, supporting their toughest challenges, or celebrating their achievements. Barbara was also a champion of her friends and deeply devoted to her faith. She could be described as a “twenty-first century renaissance woman,” because she was a world traveler, art historian, artist, and gifted musician. She loved to sing and tell stories of family and her life and was adored for her wonderful and unique sense humor. In Barbara’s later years, her adventurous spirit led her to travel and explore her Italian heritage, which brought her immense joy. She enjoyed Major League Baseball - most importantly the Cleveland Indians/Guardians and the Colorado Rockies - outdoor gardening, cooking, and spending time in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains. She had a huge heart for animals and cherished her beloved dogs (Rocky, Pepe, Bella and Jazzy to name a few); they filled her with delight and brought her much happiness.
Throughout her life, Barbara worked as an elementary school teacher, a stained-glass artist and teacher, business manager of the Canton Ballet and the Denver Civic Ballet and served on the Board of Directors of the Canton Ballet. In addition, Barbara was a proud servant of the Order of the Daughters of the King, a member of Christ Church Denver, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Barbara is survived by her son, Blake Hamlin Bockius (Maggie); daughters Susan Bockius Rawley (Matthew) and Amy Bockius Crossland (Kevin); grandchildren, Ian Patrick Rawley (Christine), William Scott Crossland, Emma Flanagan Bockius, Michaela Rawley Adleman (Steven), Samuel Harrison Bockius, Dylan John Crossland, and Blake Adam Crossland; great granddaughter, Hallie Mae Adleman; and her brother, Edward Langenbach D’Atri. She was preceded in death by her brother Geoffrey Alexander D’Atri and her parents, Alexander Walter, and Donna Helwig D’Atri.
The family would like to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of Clermont Park and Brighton Hospice for their loving care.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Denver, followed by a reception in the church hall.
The service will be live-streamed online at https://www.christchurchdenver.org/memorial-barbara-datri.
Barbara’s remains will be interred at Northlawn Cemetery, Canton, Ohio. Details will be announced at a later date.
To commemorate Barbara’s colorful spirit, please feel comfortable wearing bright and cheerful attire to the service.
Memorial gifts may be made to The Canton Ballet https://www.- cantonballet.com/support/fundraisers/ or MaxFund Animal Adoption Center, https://maxfund.org/Donation-Page .
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for Barbara's family.
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