A whole lot of elfin magic left the earth this Spring. Barbara Kornacki passed away peacefully in her home with her family on May 2, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born in Toledo, OH on January 23, 1937, to Andrew (“Henry”) and Hattie (Szenderski) Kubiak, Barbara grew up on Campbell Street in the Polish neighborhood of Kuschwantz, attending her parish’s school, St. Anthony’s. She met her beloved husband John (Kornacki) in that same neighborhood, and they were married on October 5, 1957. John died August 6, 2020, just a few months before their 63rd anniversary.

She attended Harriet Whitney Vocational High School. She began working at the Lion Store downown location. She later earned an associate’s degree from The University of Toledo and Bachelor of Arts from Lourdes University, where she worked in the life sciences labs until her retirement.

Barb is survived by her sons Thomas (Tara Hubbard), Toledo, OH; Timothy (Linda), Mountlake Terrace, WA; daughter Amanda (Donald) Jones, Toledo, OH; grandchild Sarah (John) Donatelli, and great-grandson Leo, all Indianapolis, IN; and sister-in-law Mary (John) Whitescarver. She was preceded in death by her siblings and parents, and beloved canine companion Bubba. She loved dogs, and one cat, and was likely greeted by dozens of these fur-friends as she crossed to the other side. She is pictured here with Dudley, a family friend canine who also stepped on a rainbow the same week as Barb.

She was perpetually cheerful and positive, prompting one family friend to find her “full of Elfin magic” and another to dub her “The BK Experience.” She used these gifts for the service of others: her family, friends and neighbors. In the wider community, she was an active volunteer: as an ombudsperson for senior citizens, a den mother for Cub Scouts and Brownies, and innumerable activities at her Catholic parishes of Gesu and Little Flower.

Her absence leaves an emptiness among all who knew her. We are grateful that her infectious cheer will be with us forever.

A memorial service will be held at Little Flower Church on Saturday June 20 with visitation beginning at 10am and a mass at 11:00 am. The internment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. The family wishes to extend its sincerest thanks to Ohio Living Hospice for the care they provided Barbara in her final months and asks friends to consider donations to that organization in lieu of flowers.