Barbara Leslie Wolnitzek (nee Smith) was born in Baltimore on April 3, 1958, to June and Roy Smith, Sr. She grew up in Baltimore County and graduated from Lansdowne High School. She has one son, Frederick Harris, from her first marriage. When she remarried in 1988 to Stanley Wolnitzek, she became stepmother to Kimberly and Gary Wolnitzek.

Barbara worked for many years as a daycare provider. After she retired from daycare, she and Stanley raised their eldest granddaughter, McKayla, from a young age. She served as a volunteer regularly at McKayla’s elementary school. She was deeply proud of all three of her granddaughters, Mckayla, Courtney Burns (nee Harris), and Emily Harris. She loved animals and had both dogs and cats as pets throughout her life. The most recent addition being a calico cat named Queso, whom McKayla brought into her life, whom she adored and dotted on. She loved the Orioles and playing bingo, both in a hall and online. She was a fan of country music, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley, whose song Blue Hawaii was one of her all-timefavorite songs.

Barbara is preceded by her mother, father, and stepdaughter. She leaves behind her loving husband of 36 years, Stanley; two sons, Fred and Gary; three granddaughters, Mckayla, Courtney, and Emily; grandson Brandon Embro; sister Dawn Blontz (nee Smith) and her husband Don; brother Roy “Buddy” Smith, Jr.and his wife Sherry; sister Stacy Reeder (nee Smith) and herhusband Tim; seven brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law, one grandson-in-law, nine nieces, and six nephews.

She passed away on June 10, 2026, after a short battle with cancer at home under hospice care and surrounded by family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in her name to the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company https://www.gbvfc.org/fundraising/ or Hospice of the Chesapeake https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/ways-to-give/

Family and friends may visit at the KIRKLEY RUDDICK FUNERAL HOME on Friday, June 19th, 5pm - 8pm. Funeral service will be on Saturday, June 20th, 10am at the funeral home. Interment Meadowridge Memorial Park.