Barbara Arline Poleschner, 88, died on March 16, 2024, at Linden House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Branchlands, in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a prolonged illness.

Born April 8, 1935, in The Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Alice (neé Sendrowski) and Henry Balinski (a recent Polish immigrant and a self-made small business owner).

Barbara was raised in Brooklyn’s Polish American enclave of Greenpoint. As the family grew, it moved to Uniondale, New York, on Long Island, living above and behind the family’s first delicatessen. Her years in Uniondale were filled with responsibility as she attended St. Agnes Academic Catholic High School, worked in the family store, and helped care for her five sisters. As Barbara went off to college, the family settled in the town of East Norwich, New York.

As a first-generation college student, Barbara graduated from the State University of New York College for Teachers at Albany with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her first position was at the Onteora Central School in Boiceville, New York, teaching English and Civics. At a local party, she met a dashing construction manager and married Carl Poleschner, her husband of sixty-three years, in 1957. Rumor has it that her homemade chocolate chip cookies sealed the deal.

Barbara gave up her full-time career but continued part-time substitute teaching while raising four children in Hudson Valley’s Red Hook, New York. Higher education was paramount to Barbara as a building block to a successful career and personal independence. She encouraged perseverance and was extremely proud that all four children graduated from university, some attaining advanced degrees.

As the last of the children finished high school, she embarked on a new career selling insurance for Prudential. She loved the professional environment and helping everyday people with financial planning. In 1998, she and Carl retired to the warmth and sunshine of Naples, Florida, where she continued seasonal work for H&R Block as a tax preparer, once again helping families of modest means and low English proficiency navigate tax obligations. In 2018, due to health issues, they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, to be closer to family.

Barbara relished and remained connected with her immediate and extended family, often over long phone conversations fueled by endless cups of black coffee. She would drop everything to help a family member or close friend in need. She enjoyed quiet time reading the latest mystery and spy novels. Barbara was a highly accomplished seamstress and enjoyed dressing smartly and going out for Friday night dinners with Carl and their close friends. She had an uncanny ability to stretch the family budget and took pride in interior decorating and entertaining family and friends. She was an avid gardener and was even known to garden in high heels.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Edward Poleschner, Sr.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Paula (David) Kucera of New Paltz, New York, Lisa (Jeff) Boehm of Lexington, Massachusetts, and Erika (Kent) Struble of Charlottesville, Virginia; son, Carl (Tanya) Poleschner, Jr. of Venice, Florida; grandchildren, Christopher and Matthew Struble, Cameron and Lia Kucera, and Chloe and Samuel Boehm; sisters, Lorraine Frisina, Phyllis Kunze, Elaine Ryan, Alice Bryne, and Deborah Olsen and their families.

Special thanks to the staff at Linden House and BrightStar Care, who cared for her and Carl while they resided in Charlottesville.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation in recognition of the life-restoring support they provided to Barbara in her later years. Please click here for online giving, or send a check to Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, 500 Martha Jefferson Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia 22911, noting that it is “In memory of Barbara Poleschner.”