It is with great sadness that we announce that our mom, Barbara Kuhlman (Welsch), quietly passed away on September 29, 2026, after a courageous and long fought battle with multiple health issues. Barbara was born on April 21, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York to parents, Dorothy and Samuel Welsch. She was raised in South Orange, NJ, along with her brother, Don, whom she looked up to and adored.
Barbara graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. While at Bradley, she married her high school friend turned sweetheart, Donald Kuhlman. After graduating, they moved back to New Jersey, where they proudly welcomed daughters, Stacey and Kimberly.
In the early 1970s, Barbara and Donald relocated to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area. They eventually divorced, but remained lifelong friends. As a single mom, Barbara began working as a part-time secretary at Montgomery Scrap in Rockville, MD. She tirelessly climbed her way up the ladder there, and at other recycling companies, to become a successful broker. She eventually landed at Waste Management, where she spent decades as one of their top sales executives in the country before retiring.
Countless colleagues will forever remember Barbara for her work ethic, professionalism, vibrant personality, and ability to make every stranger she met feel like they had known her for years. These qualities are a huge part of the legacy she leaves behind, as they are traits that her children and grandchildren will forever strive to emulate.
Perhaps the traits she will most be remembered for are her generosity, humor, and devotion to her family and friends. Barbara often gave back to her community by donating not just money, but her time. She insisted on paying for dinner and always stuck too much money in birthday cards and tip envelopes. She was silly and genuine. One to unapologetically dance her way through the store while over shopping for everyone at Christmas by day, and light the Hannukah menorah with her granddaughters at night. She was one of those fun people that you just had to invite to your cookout, or that you wanted to be laughing around your card table. She was that friend that you had known since you were a little kid that you loved to travel the world with as an adult.
Barbara loved to garden and people couldn’t help but feel welcome in her cozy, warm home. Even if it was your first time there, you immediately felt comfortable taking off your shoes or going in the refrigerator. She was ironically not only a grill master who could cook the perfect steak, but a baker whose homemade apple pie rivaled that of any pastry chef. Her bright smile lit up every picture that was taken of her, and any room that she was in.
She is survived by her loving children, Stacey Darr and her husband Gary; Kimberly Rejewski and her husband Rob; and her three adoring grandchildren, Jonathan Norton, Grace (Gracie) Rejewski, and Madeline (Maddie) Rejewski, who were her pride and joy. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Welsch and his wife Carol; her niece Stephanie Lewin and her children, Aaron and Laura; and her niece, Meredith Strauss, her husband Randy, and their daughter Ali, all of whom she loved dearly.
Barbara made an incredible impact in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her. Her family and countless friends and acquaintances, will forever hold a very special place for her in their hearts.
A private celebration of her life is being held by her immediate family and closest friends at Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland, Florida on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara’s name at the following links: https://Alzheimer’s Association or the Dementia Society of America.
To send flowers or plant a memorial tree in memory, please visit our flower store.
Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.heathfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/barbara-kuhlman.
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