Barbara Dlugosz Obituary

Barbara Jean Dlugosz (née Barton), beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend. She is survived by her husband, Randy Dlugosz; her children, Kati and Joe Dlugosz; her daughter-in-law, Elise Covell Dlugosz; her older brother, Bill Barton; her nieces, Momo Barton and Tessie Barton; her nephews, Dan Barton and Tyler Barton; her grandnieces and grandnephew; and the Kagy and Ehlert families. She is preceded in death by her eldest brother, Bruce Barton, and her parents, Martha Kagy Barton Voorhees and Ohlan G. Barton.
Barb was born and raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and loved her hometown, Cleveland, and northeast Ohio. She graduated from Chagrin Falls High School in 1976 and the University of Toledo in 1980. She later achieved a Masters in Education from Kent State University.
Barb dedicated herself to the service of others as a kindergarten and second-grade teacher for forty-three years. She began her career at Saint Henry School in Cleveland before her decades of teaching at Hawken Lower School in Lyndhurst. She taught as an adjunct professor of Education at John Carroll University and spent many years as a mentor at Hawken School for student teachers. She shared her passion, care, knowledge, and experience with her students, guiding them as educator, tutor, and storyteller. She inspired and comforted through her empathy, kindness, wisdom, humor, and creativity.
For her entire life, Barb loved animals and nature, taking in and loving many stray and rescue cats and dogs as members of the family. She loved her home, her flower garden, and backyard, and enjoyed taking walks through the parks around town with friends and family. She loved to read, journal, and bake. Barb made friends wherever she went. Her smile and warmth brightened every room.
For four years and half years, Barb was courageous through her experience with cancer. Ever finding hope and positivity through hardship, she continued to find joy and beauty in the small things. She found strength in family, friendships, and her inner spirit.
Barb's enduring legacy is that of compassion, kindness, gratitude, and love.
A memorial and celebration of life for Barb will be held on December 6th, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hawken Upper School, 12465 County Line Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026.