Gaudino

Barbara Maria Gaudino of Butler went to meet up with dearly missed relatives and friends Saturday. She died from a GBM brain tumor that was first diagnosed in December 2008, and she survived an 18-month battle.

She was the second daughter of Paul and Elsbeth Neuhof, born in Poland but raised in East Germany.

Barbara was a complicated woman who was never dull. She left her homeland to come to America after marrying and speaking almost no English. She absolutely loved America and was extremely proud to become a citizen.

She was the manager of the Sunoco Jiffy Mart on North Main Street Extension for many years and delighted in her many customers. She also drove people to and from the airport, and had many other part-time jobs.

She was the director of her husband's TV show for many years and was instrumental in helping him in too many ways to count. She rarely sat still and had more energy than people half her age. Of course, she always insisted she was 39.

Her mind was extremely nimble, and she could do long math in her head. She loved traveling and fine dining and would try absolutely any and all foods, liking the vast majority of them. She instilled a love of adventure and taking chances in her children and for that they are extremely grateful. She also taught them the discipline needed to be successful in life.

Her love of animals brought many of the neighborhoods injured birds, etc. to her home, and she lovingly brought them back to health. Her cooking and baking were unmatched as she was very creative and not afraid to try adding something different.

She greatly enjoyed driving. When Barbara got her driver's license and her own car, she loved the freedom it brought to her.

Surviving are her husband, Paul C. Gaudino, who she married March 2, 1959; five children, Debbie Gaudino Hinchberger and her husband, Lee, of Butler, Renee Gaudino Alexander and her husband, Brian, of Virginia Beach, Va., Jon Gaudino and his wife, Gilda, of St. Petersburg, Fla., Troy Gaudino of Virginia Beach, Va., and Corey Gaudino and his wife, Nickol, of Baltimore; two sisters, Karin Schulze and Margot Kurth and her husband, Horst, in Germany; grandchildren, Stephanie, Nathan and Lucas Alexander, Natalia Gaudino and Zachary and Evan Gaudino; and step-grandchildren, Joe and Josh Hinchberger and Sabrina Perez. Many nieces and nephews in Germany also survive her.

<B>GAUDINO</B> — Friends and family of Barbara Maria Gaudino, who died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, will gather from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Butler with Father James Dolan, pastor, officiating.In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.Please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com to leave online condolences.