Barbara Joan Kuzman (nee Russell), our beautiful mother, nana, and best friend, triumphed over dementia, and was carried to Heaven in the Lord's arms on August 9, 2024. Barbara was born April 15, 1931 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Vaughn and Beatrice Russell (nee Smith). She grew up in Crown Point, Indiana and later went on to attend Indiana University, Bloomington, graduating with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
While at III, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and met Daniel Kuzman at a sorority/fraternity exchange dinner. They later married in 1953 and were happily married for nearly 68 years. The couple eventually made Crown Point, Indiana their home where Barbara was a first grade teacher.
When Barbara and Dan welcomed children Robert and Deborah into their lives, Barbara changed careers to motherhood and raising her children. During this time, she went on to pursue a Masters in Education degree with a specialty certification in reading, as she had a selfless passion to guide and help children with reading difficulties and deficits. Barbara continued to extend her selfless heart in another direction when she developed a passion for philanthropy in her community.
She became a member of the Women's Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society where she served as president, treasurer, chairman of decorator's show houses, and also served on countless committees. Barbara was also a member of the American Association of University Women w.