Barbara Marie Zarbatany, 81

Barbara Marie Zarbatany, age 81, of Lakeland, passed away on January 19, 2026, following medical complications after battling breast cancer.

She was born on November 12, 1944, in New York, New York. In 1986, Barbara moved from Miami to Lakeland, where she began her long and dedicated career at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. She worked as a Surgical Technologist for more than 38 years before retiring in 2024, a testament to her strong work ethic and commitment to patient healthcare.

Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Zarbatany, and her granddaughter, Alexis Zarbatany.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Nicole Z. Carr and Paulette Z. Brown; her stepchildren, Steven Zarbatany, Jeffrey Zarbatany, and Karen Rentz; and her cherished grandchildren, whom she proudly adored and who knew her as “Sittoe”: Jeffery Rentz, Kristin Thibodeaux, Rion Carr, Brianna Carr, Alyssa Carr, Gabrielle Brown, Sebastian Brown, and Jackson Carr. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy and filled her life with laughter and love.

Barbara was also a devoted Aunt, affectionately known as “Titi Bobbie” to Tony and Lindsey Acosta and their children, Dominic, Gabriel, and Giovanni. She will also be missed by many other relatives and friends.

Graveside services will be held at Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland Florida 33812, on January 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. Flowers may be sent directly to Oak Hill Burial Park.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Heath Funeral Chapel.