Barbara Sue Karay

Barbara Sue Karay, 62, of Puyallup, WA, formerly of Elkhart, died on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, WA.

Barbara was born August 17, 1958 in Zeeland, MI to the late Alexander X. and Luella V. (Meengs) Karay.

She is survived by three sisters: Diane L. (Fred) Myers of South Bend, IN, Elizabeth A. (Ken) Caligiuri of Fairfax, VA and Marie A. (Jim) Sutton of Lebanon, OH.  She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Growing up in Elkhart, Barbara graduated from Jimtown High School in 1976 and attended Indiana University for three years, spending a year abroad studying in Spain.  An accomplished artist, she enjoyed photography, drawing, writing and crafts.  She also loved playing the flute.  Barb was also a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church, here in Elkhart. She volunteered at Memorial Hospital in South Bend as well as for the Mental Health Association and the South Bend Public Library.  Barbara had a kidney transplant in 2010.  She was so thankful for the gift of organ donation.

Memorial services for Barbara will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  Barbara’s cremains will be placed in the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden.

Memorial contributions in memory of Barbara may be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) 520 Crescent Ave. South Bend, IN 46617.

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