Barbara Regina Isak (Supenia) returned to Heaven on Friday April 5th, 2024 after a long, bountiful, abundant life. She was 92 years old.

Her abundance encapsulated more than tangible elements.

Born of humble beginnings to a mining family in the coal town of Madera, Pennsylvania, Barbara moved with her parents and two younger siblings to several coal communities before settling in Houtzdale, PA. She attended Houtzdale-Woodward School through the 12th grade. After graduation, she worked a very short stint in a garment factory sewing buttons, until her high school teacher/mentor rescued her and encouraged her to apply to Lock Haven Teachers College. She was one of only two students to attend college in that year’s graduating class, the only woman. She worked her way through both high school and college as domestic help, shoveling coal for her employer’s furnace before dawn, caring for children and cleaning, along with her studies. She eventually became a kindergarten teacher working with children of factory workers in an on-site school. It was soon after that she met the love of her life, her husband, Conrad.

Barb and Conrad shared a wealth of love and adventure. In addition to regular date nights, they enjoyed many trips to visit family both in the US and abroad. Their summer home on Smith Mountain Lake was central to countless family get-togethers. They were married for sixty years until his passing in 2013. She was blessed with a bounty of children as the mother of eight. She had eight Grandchildren and five Great Grandchildren. As a family, they lived in Waynesboro from 1960-1972, before moving to upstate New York for Conrad’s job with GE. They returned to VA in 1984, this time settling in Charlottesville.

Barbara’s life was all about family. Her career as CEO of The Isak Clan spanned decades. She held a Masters in The Economics of the Home. She was an expert in Batch Cooking, Gardening and Preserving, Couponing, Bulk Grocery Shopping (years before Costco), Sewing, Creative Crafts and stretching a dollar to make ends meet for her family of ten. She loved celebrations and family gatherings, Sunday drives, road trip vacations, sitcoms, crime shows and Butter Pecan ice cream. She was always up for an extra large swirled soft serve cone or a decadent dessert. She loved her lottery tickets and playing the slots on occasional trips to the casino with family members.

As a devout Catholic, Barbara had a rich spiritual life in and outside the church walls. She generously donated from her heart to the church and to many large and small charities that held special meaning to her. She was also an animal lover. Barb took in every stray that crossed her path or that her children brought home. She fed every deer, bird and wildlife that entered her yard. Even in her later years when she could no longer garden, she continued to take out kitchen scraps to compost, if only to feed the crows. Strays did not always mean the furry kind, it also included the many friends her family brought by. She was always open to add another plate to the table or roof over someone’s head.

Barb liked to entertain and put on neighborhood holiday block parties. She was infamous for her outlandish children’s parties and birthday cakes. She was a mother rich in hopes, dreams and ideas. She created or provided experiences to pass on to her children, even if she could not do them herself. She raised her children to have a lifelong love of reading, learning and having a curiosity about life. Her home was her classroom. She taught her kids to be creative, self-sufficient and resilient. Always up for a challenge to her intellect, she never missed a day of Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune. She passed down her expertise and love of the culinary arts. Her recipes and enormous cookbook collection will endure for generations. Her passion for gardening will carry on through her children, grandchildren and their descendants. Many clippings, shoots, bulbs and tubers that she shared through the years will continue to bloom in her honor in multiple family gardens.

While raising her family, Barbara took time for some interests of her own. She was a member of several Women’s Clubs in various towns that she lived. She was an active contributor and fundraiser for many church bake sales and several charity cookbooks. Barbara enjoyed writing when she could find the time. In addition to short stories she also kept a journal throughout her life. She loved to converse and anyone who met her knows that she could spin a yarn.

Barbara was loved by all and her presence will be missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and George Supenia of Houtzdale, PA; her husband Conrad J Isak of Charlottesville, VA; her brothers, George and Frank Supenia of Pennsylvania.

Barbara is survived by her children Janet Isak Hawley (Kip, deceased) of Pacific Grove CA; John Isak of Waynesboro, VA; Judy Isak (Tom Czaplicki) of Virginia Beach, VA; Carol Bateman (Bob) of Stevensville, Maryland; Marianne Pecoraro (Bill) of Richmond, VA; Nancy Hatschbach (Eric, deceased) of Tampa Bay, FLA; Babs Isak of Denver, CO; Alan Isak of Waynesboro, VA; her grandchildren Rachel Isak Peer (Chris) of Waynesboro, VA; Nick Hawley (Jessica) of Round Rock, TX, Chris Hawley (Sabrina Eldredge) of San Francisco, CA; Luke Hatschbach (Alyssa) of Bozeman, MT; Alex Pecoraro (Kara) of Chesterfield, VA; Gabby Pecoraro of Farmville, VA; Jacqui Pecoraro of Nashville, TN; Elise Hatschbach of Miami, FLA and great grandchildren Andrew and Lucy Hawley, TX; Isak Feng-Jie Hawley, CA; Walter Eric Hatschbach, MT and Avery Pecoraro, VA.

For more information about memorial services, to send condolences, or any further information contact Hill & Wood Funeral Services.