Barbara Cobis Bierenfeld, 63, joined the Christmas Choir of Angels Saturday, December 24, 2022. She passed into her New Life surrounded by her loved ones on her favorite holiday at Columbus Hospice House. A prayer service and rosary will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church on Friday, January 13th at 5:30 pm. Following the rosary, a reception will be held in Visitation Hall for family and friends to share food, fellowship, and memories.

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Anne Catholic Church on Saturday, January 14th at 10:30 am. All are welcome at both events. Burial services will be held at Honey Creek Woodlands at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA, at a later date.

Barbara was the fifth of eight children of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Cobis. Her parents instilled a strong Catholic faith, devotion to God, and the importance of service and family in her at a young age. She kept that faith and devotion even through her terminal cancer diagnosis, and lived it out each day. Barbara spent much of her childhood and adult years living in Columbus, GA and attending St. Anne Catholic Church. Following graduation from Pacelli High School, she graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She served as a dedicated School Occupational Therapist in Virginia, Atlanta, and Columbus, Georgia, for the majority of her career. Barbara then retired in 2016.

Barbara was always willing to help others in the community with her skills through home health and special projects. Whether it was coordinating with local high schools to create prosthetic equipment, or crusading for handicap ramps in downtown Columbus, Barbara found a creative way to help each of her friends be as independent as possible; despite their diagnosis or disability.

Barbara always maintained her strong faith and her commitment to serving God’s people. She particularly had a heart for the most vulnerable. Barbara was passionate about honoring life from natural conception to natural death, and lived that passion daily. Throughout her career, she  worked with special needs children; volunteered at  Seneca, Choices for Life; and the St. Anne Outreach Center. Barbara was selfless and always set aside whatever she was doing to visit an elderly neighbor, babysit a sick child, make a meal for a struggling friend, give a ride to a stranger, or even carry a stranded turtle to safety. Each day of her life, she epitomized Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Barbara’s awe for God’s creation and love for His people led her adventurous spirit in her travels. She brought her love of Christ and joyful laughter wherever she went, making friends all over the world. Barbara visited almost all 50 states; she faithfully visited Cathedrals and attended mass in Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Haiti and Canada. Joined by her family and friends, she walked the Camino de Santiago, and participated in mission trips to orphanages and nursing homes in Jamaica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Barbara loved her family with all her heart. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, godmother, daughter, sister, and aunt. Her proudest achievement was raising her daughters, Katie and Sarah Rose, and caring daily for her grandson, Giovanni. She continued her parents’ tradition by opening her home to family, friends and strangers for holidays, “family dinners” and game nights. Barbara had a gift for making everyone feel special and loved. She not only attended birthdays, weddings, graduations, baptisms, sporting events, and other special occasions, but she brought a little extra magic and laughter with the perfect gift or silly hat or costume. Her legacy for celebrating life will be continued by her family, friends, and all those who were changed by her love.

Barbara is survived by her former husband Tim Bierenfeld and their children, Katie Meza (Alex), Sarah Rose Hasslinger (Dave), and grandson, Giovanni Meza. She is also fondly remembered for her compassion, joy, and laughable stories by her six sisters: Mary Ellen (David) Taylor, Catherine Bradshaw, Ann Sutlive, Petra (Bill) Raville, Monica Cobis, Martha (Pat) Simmons, and her brother John Cobis. Aunt Barbara will also be missed by her 11 nephews, 8 nieces, and 15 greats.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s honor to the Lady Josephine Foundation. Lady Josephine Foundation was established to foster hope in the children and families battling Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS — a rare, progressive, and serious heart condition in which there is a blockage in the blood vessels that brings blood from the lungs back to the heart). Barbara’s 3 year old great niece, Josephine, was born with PVS.

 

 

 

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