Barbara Cole Funeral Mass

Barbara Ann (Lesniewicz) Cole, 86, of Livonia, Michigan passed away peacefully at Angela Hospice Care Center on September 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara was born in Highland Park, Michigan on May 13, 1940, to her parents, the late Leo Joseph and Marie Agnes Lesniewicz.

Barbara was the cherished and loving mother of two daughters – Amy (Roger) Brewer and Lisa Cole; proud grandmother of Corey (Kelli) Brewer, Justin Brewer, Megan (Jordan) Moore, Cecilia (Casey) Brewer, great-grandmother of Connor, Kalin, and Kieran Moore, and aunt and great-aunt of many nieces and nephews, including her special nephew Nick (Kate) Kalaj and great-niece Xaria Kalaj.

Barbara was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her sisters Jennifer Bedrosian, Marie Kalaj, Renee (Paul) Major, and aunt Joycelyn Koenig. Barbara was preceded in death by her brothers George and Leo Lesniewicz, sister Johanna Marshall, and brother-in-law Gjelosh Kalaj.

Barbara had many adventures in her life and travelled extensively. She worked in television, newspapers, print shops, as a paralegal, and in medical transcription, and was self-employed in business services. Her biggest adventure was her travel to Guam and Bali, living on Guam for 12 years. Her family and friends enjoyed the chronicles of her travels through the years. Barbara also lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Chicago, and when she retired she returned to Livonia to be closer to her family. Her family are thankful for the years they had with her nearby, and were able to celebrate many holidays and special occasions together.

In recent years, Barbara was part of St. Aidan Catholic Church in Livonia. She loved volunteering as the “lemonade lady” at Vacation Bible School. She cherished her many long-time friendships and the new friendships she made in her neighborhood and at the Livonia Senior Center.

Family and friends may visit at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan, on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 21, 2026 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, Michigan, with visitation from 10:30-11:00 a.m.

Interment will take place in a private family service at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, Michigan 48154 or the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.

Contribution envelopes will be available at Schrader-Howell.