Barbara A. Szep, 76, Gifted Artisan

She was born May 23, 1936 in East Grand Forks, Minnesota and had lived in North Texas since 1983.

Barbara had a longtime career in retail and was active in St Mark Catholic Church in Plano. Barbara was a gifted artisan and found great joy in making people feel special, particularly children; she organized and hosted an annual Holiday Toys for Tots charity dinner making Christmas merry for more than 1,000 children. Barbara was loved by everyone who knew her.

Survivors include sons Timothy Szep (Marcia DiMarzio), of Lorain, and Edward Szep II, of Plano, TX; daughter Michelle Mendoza (Rogelio) of Salisbury, NC; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister Cindy Weiland of Fargo, ND; and brother Patrick Spoor of Grand Forks, ND. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward A Szep on Jan. 11, 2001; parents Marvel and Alice Spoor (nee Holweger); and sisters Deanna Davis and Carol Eubanks.

The family will receive friends Thursday 5-8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:00 am in the funeral chapel with the Rev. Daniel O. Divis, pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Lorain, officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.

Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net