"When you smile the whole world's brighter". Elvis Presley, The Wonder of You

Barbara Joyce Newhook Kraska was born September 12, 1944 in Newfoundland, Canada and met her end of life after a heroic 6 ½ year fight with cancer on October 24, 2025 in her home in Timonium, MD.  Young "Barbie" grew up in a small fishing town, Norman's Cove, on Trinity Bay on the east coast of Newfoundland with her Mother Elizabeth, Father Ernest, sisters Florrie and Bessie and brother Cle.  She was so proud of being a Newfie and loved sharing stories as often as possible.  She joined the Canadian Reserve Navy at 18 and eventually moved to the United States where she settled in Baltimore, Maryland.  It was here in Baltimore at Alex Brown & Sons in 1969, where Barbara met her love of 55 years, Stanley Kraska, and married in 1970.  Over those 55 years, Barbara and Stan's family expanded to 4 generations to include, Stas' & wife Susan, Kevin & wife Maricelly, Jennifer & husband Isaac and Melanie & husband Toby; grandchildren Jay & wife Carolyn, Andrew & wife Hannah, Lucy, Elizabeth, Sofia and Laine; and great grandchildren Annie and baby boy arriving in the spring of 2026.

Barbara will be remembered for her generous heart, strong faith, optimism, perseverance, never ending energy and independent, fighting spirit. She was a warrior who was feisty as she was kind and  gentle as she was strong.  She lived her life exactly how she wanted to live it until the end.  To have spent any time with her, left an imprint that will last forever.  She made people feel special with her smile and care.  Her laugh was joyful and infectious and there really was no one like her. She was passionate about helping and serving others.  If she saw a need, she wanted to help.  She volunteered playing piano at nursing homes, shared her faith with men and women in prison, was a mentor to young adolescents, served soup kitchens with Bea Gaddy and was a hospice volunteer with patients with HIV/AIDS that didn't have any family.  Those are just a few examples of her service passions.  Barbara's relationship with God was the foundation of her life.  Barbara and Stan were very active in Cursillo in the 80s & 90s and were members of several churches over her life where she served in choir, played handbells, supported missionary work, participated in women's groups, was a member of the decorating team and most recently was trained as Care Team Member to minister to the sick & homebound at Church of the Nativity. She was equally as passionate about health and wellness and was incredibly proud of her Nutritionist and Reflexology businesses.  She and Stan were active members of the Polish Home Club in Fells Point, where you could find them in the Lounge on a Saturday night or at the Sunday dances. She adored the time she and Stan spent in Ocean City at their condo "Footprints" and walks and bike rides around Northside Park.  She loved to laugh, dance, sing, knit, sew, garden, bake bread, power walk, decorate with seasonal décor, feed all the birds (but especially her hummingbirds) and could build the perfect fire.  She never missed an Orioles or Ravens game and loved steamed crabs and beer. She could build furniture from a pile of lumber, played the guitar & piano and loved wearing a cute outfit with her signature blue eyeliner.

We are all heartbroken that we won't be seeing her any more, but we know that she is walking along side us always and are forever grateful for her unconditional love and pride for her family. Barbara spent a lifetime of caring and providing healing for others and we find comfort that she is in the arms of her Lord and Savior.  We lastly want to thank the team of doctors at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore that cared for and guided her, who she viewed as family:  Dr. Peter Ledakis, Dr. Vadim Gushchin, Dr. Hyung Ryu, Dr Maria Jacobs and her family Physician of over 40 years Dr. David Hartig.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mercy Health Foundation, Surgical Oncology Fund, 301 St. Paul Place, 15th floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.  This fund specifically supports cancer research and education.  Link to donate: Mdmercy.com/giving

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025 beginning at 12 PM at the Church of the Nativity, 20 East Ridgely Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093. A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Church of the Nativity Concourse & Café beginning at 11 AM until the service begins.  A livestreaming of the service will be available for anyone who is unable to attend.

"You give me strength to carry on" Elvis Presley, Wonder of You

Please share condolences with the family by signing her guestbook. Online condolences may be sent to the family through www.peacefulalternatives.com.