Barbara Honis

July 31, 2005

Barbara Dippold Honis, 73, of Clay, NY passed on to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a courageous five year battle against pulmonary fibrosis. Barb passed away at her summer home on Lake Ontario surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was a 1948 graduate of North High School. Barb graduated from Hartwick College in 1953 where she received degrees in psychology and religion. After graduation, Barb traveled throughout the Scandinavian Countries of Europe with her Lutheran Youth Group. Upon her return, she was employed as a Youth Group Worker at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Philadelphia. Barb joined the United States Navy in 1955 as a Lieutenant. After receiving training in Newport, Rhode Island, she was stationed in California, Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan. After leaving the military, she worked at the Onondaga County Welfare Office for 3 years. Barb began teaching in the North Syracuse Central School District in 1966 where she would teach for the next 29 years. During her tenure, Barb taught at Bessie B. Riordan Elementary School, Lakeshore Road Elementary School and Roxboro Road Middle School. She received her Master's Degree in Education from Syracuse University in 1976. Barb was a member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in North Syracuse and a longtime member of the Syracuse University Orange Pack.
Barb was blessed with a large and loving family who will miss her dearly. She is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Donald Honis; her mother, Clara Dippold of Mattydale; two sons, Grant (Janet) Honis of San Diego, CA; Kurt (Maria) Honis of Jamesville; three daughters, Susan (Gary) Hawkins of Marietta, GA; Heidi Honis of Atlanta, GA; Heather (Timothy) Meyer of Cicero; six grandchildren: Kevin and Trevor Hawkins; Rachel, Benjamin and Adam Honis; Henry Meyer; two aunts, Bertha Garafalo, Ruth Roeckelein; one uncle, Robert Roechelein; six sisters, Joan Tourot, Jean Fuller, Suzanne Wademan, Diane Chase, Shirley Carroll, Dolores Guernsey; one brother, John Dippold; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her father, Henry Dippold and granddaughter Rosalie Honis.
Barb died of pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that attacks the tissue of the lungs. There is currently no cure. The family wishes to thank Dr. Gordon Yung of the University of California at San Diego for his expertise in treating the disease and Dr. Tracy Barrett of Syracuse. Dr. Barrett, a former student of Mrs. Honis, provided Barb with outstanding and compassionate care for which the family expresses its deepest gratitude.
Funeral services will be at 11 AM on Thursday at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 435 S Main Street, North Syracuse. Burial will follow in North Syracuse Cemetery, with a reception to follow at church. Friends may call from 3-8 PM Wednesday at New Comer Family Funeral Home, 705 North Main Street, North Syracuse.
Contributions may be made to New Hope Family Services, 3519 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13206.