Barbara Marie Chiarizia passed away on August 10, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 65.

Born February 21, 1961, Barbara grew up in Bensenville, Illinois, the youngest of four siblings. Throughout her life, she had a gift for friendship and for finding reasons to gather, laugh, celebrate, and enjoy the people around her. She loved socializing with friends, hosting game nights, spending time with her grandchildren, and traveling with her husband, Silvin “Si” Chiarizia.

Barbara built a career as a writer and editor for various publications, putting her curiosity, intelligence, and way with words to good use. But eventually, Barbara and Si decided that life was meant to be lived rather than accumulated. They sold almost everything they owned, retired, and took to the road as full-time RVers.

Together, they built a life measured less in possessions than in places visited, friendships made, and memories collected. They made friends everywhere they went and enjoyed extended stays near the people they loved most—including Rochester, Minnesota, where their eldest, Dianna, lived, and Colonial Beach, Virginia, where they could be nearer to Tina, Tony, and extended family.

Barbara treasured being a bonus mom to Dianna, Tina, and Tony, and being Grammy was among the great joys of her life. Family was something Barbara embraced wholeheartedly, and she loved the life and relationships that grew around her.

She also knew how to have fun. Whether cruising with Si, traveling with family or dear friends, gathering everyone for a game night, or floating in a Florida pool during the winter while laughing about the temperatures back in Illinois, Minnesota, and Virginia, Barb had a way of squeezing joy out of every day. She was generous with her laughter, her friendship, her hospitality, and herself.

Barbara faced cancer with extraordinary courage. She was braver than most, meeting a long and difficult journey with determination, humor, and a fierce desire to keep living the life she loved. She fought for as long as she could.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Clare Sieg; her husband and beloved traveling companion, Silvin Chiarizia; and those dear to her who went before.

She is survived by her brother, William Sieg (Janis); sister, Patricia Welker (William Steelglove); bonus children, Dianna Parks (Dan Christianson), Tina Unrue (Michael), and Tony Chiarizia (Kim); granddaughters Meghan, Sarah, Samantha, Rebecca, and Natalie; great grandchildren Theodore, Eliana, Owen, and Levi; many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous longtime friends and the many loyal new friends she collected along the way.

Barbara leaves behind a life rich in laughter, adventure, friendship, and love. She showed those around her that a good life need not be conventional, that family can grow in many ways, and that joy is worth seeking—even, and perhaps especially, when life is difficult.

Her humor, generosity, courage, and unmistakable spirit will be forever missed.

And somewhere, we like to imagine, Barbara has found the perfect place to float in the sunshine—warm enough to make the rest of us jealous.

A celebration of life was held in Edgewater, FL on August 26, 2026 and another is planned for November 7, 2026 in Stafford, VA. Barbara will be laid to rest during a private interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton, MD on November 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to one of the organizations Barbara held dear:

Mayo Clinic breast cancer research. Donations may be made online at https://give.mayoclinic.org/campaign/773098/donate (select "Dedicate My Donation" and enter Barbara Chiarizia, then choose "Cancer Research and Care" and designate the gift "In Memory"), by phone at 1-855-852-8129, or by mail to Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Please note "In Memory of Barbara Chiarizia" with your gift.

Farmhouse-cats - This organization is a capture/neuter/release program that also assists low-income families with food/vet bills near Barb and my dad's home in Volusia County. https://www.facebook.com/people/Farmhouse-cats/100071489031986/

Compassion International is a global, Christian organization that assists children living in poverty. Gifts may be directed to disaster relief, education, hunger, etc.https://www.compassion.com/give/donate/