On Monday, December 22,2025 at the age of 93, the Lord called Barbara Marie (nee Beck) Nowakowski home to Him. Beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and godmother, she had many roles and is greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Stanley Francis Nowakowski, her parents, William and Adele Beck, her 7 brothers, Bill, John, Tom, LeRoy, Jerome, Howard and an infant brother who passed before she was able to meet him.

Barbara was a loving mother to Paul S. Novak, Keith F. Novak (his wife, Jennifer), Mary Pat Foelber (her husband, Michael) and Ann Marie Stetekluh (her husband, Jeff). Her most cherished role in life. She is survived by all 4 of her children and spouses; her grandchildren, Katrina, Kelly, Veronica, Jessica, Paul, Megan and Andrew; and her great grandchildren, James, Julia, Anna, Wesley, Colin, Bennett, Emmilein, Charles, Gabriel and Noah, as well as, her sister-in-law Elizabeth Beck and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara grew up in East Baltimore attending St. Elizabeth's Catholic School at the church where the family regularly attended mass. She continued her education at The Catholic High School of Baltimore, class of 1949.

She went on to work for a few years before wedding Stanley Nowakowski in 1954.

Moving to a row home in Parkville they soon had four children. Life took them to three other states and 5 more houses. Barbara quickly filled each house with everything that made it a home. Having familiar decorations, housewares and furniture surrounding us in each home provided so much comfort with the changes that come with moving.

She was vigorously adamant about a good education for her children both in the Catholic Faith and in the Academic world.  Not an easy task in so many different school systems.

She taught us the value of a good home cooked meal,(she was a self-taught gourmet chef) of a neat, orderly, clean home, of reusing and repairing items, of the art of sewing, of appearance, of treating others with respect and, most of all, supporting family to the best of our ability.

After being out-of-state for so long, Barbara was so happy to move back to Maryland close to the rest of the extended family. Family was most important in her life.

She resided in Cockeysville, Maryland for 53 years. During those years, Barbara was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she was actively involved in parish activities, a Columbiette (ladies auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus), and providing casseroles and sandwiches to be sent to Our Daily Bread in Baltimore.

How else does one put into words the love and care that a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother aunt and godmother gives and instills in her family. An impossible task. Barbara Marie you have left this world with the wonderful gift of a life well lived and a legacy of love.

The family will receive friends at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center, P.A., 2325 York Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Sunday, December 28th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A Funeral Mass officiated by Msgr. Richard Hilgartner will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 100 Church Lane, Cockeysville, Maryland 21030 on Monday, December 29th beginning at 11 am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please remember Barbara with memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105-9959. Please share online condolences with the family by signing her guestbook through www.peacefulalternatives.com.