Barbara R. (Lorenz) Urbanowicz

Barbara R. Urbanowicz, 88, of Brockton, passed away on October 14, 2024 at home under hospice care with close friends nearby.

Barbara was born in a little town in Germany as the third child of Gustav and Martha Lorenz; unfortunately her mother died 10 days after her birth. Her father moved the family to South Germany and married again. Barbara had a difficult childhood with family as her stepmother had two more sons and there was a war going on. She left her family early on and tried to make a life of her own. Her older sister Edith was her only support. In her early twenties she got to know Alphonse “Archie” Urbanowicz who was stationed there as a GI. They married in 1959 and left for the United States soon after. She followed her husband to his different bases-among them Kentucky and Alaska-and waited for him when he was stationed in Vietnam. Soon she got American citizenship.

When her husband was given a government job in Boston they bought the home in Brockton where they lived for 50 years. Barbara began a career in housekeeping at Milton Academy in 1977 that she enjoyed very much until retiring in 1998.

She and Archie never had children of their own but their pets and outdoor creatures were their greatest passion. They had three dogs and numerous cats over the years. She fed stray cats in front of her house for many years. Her yard was a paradise for many kinds of birds and squirrels which she fed diligently every day.

Barbara never lost contact with her family in Germany. In past years she went every year to see her sister, nephew and nieces. Later on after developing an embolism while flying her family members came over to visit her several times a year.

Due to her loving caregivers, especially Kim Sainsbury, she was able, as she wished so much, to spend her last months in her own house. Barbara was beloved in her neighborhood and had a deep faith in God until the end.

All are welcome to her calling hours Monday October 21st from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and her funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Waitt Funeral Home which will be livestreamed (see the link below), 850 North Main St. Brockton and her committal service at 1:30 p.m. at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, after which she will be buried with her late husband.

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