For nearly 87 years, Barbara Subjack Ziemian lived with zest, delight and outsized energy. She saw opportunities and took chances. And she showed everybody she met she was one violet who knew nothing about shrinking.

She passed away on August 9, 2024 in Fort Myers, FL from complications from acute myeloid leukemia. She was 86.

A 1959 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Barbara became passionate about children and education through teaching nursery and elementary school. One day, she discovered an old tailor shop for sale in Riverton, NJ, and envisioned a dynamic learning place of her own making. With her tireless husband and partner, Joseph, she bought and transformed the building.

The Red Balloon Nursery School opened in 1970. Over the next 30 years, Barbara's inaugural class of nine students blossomed to three levels of preschool education, with multiple classes per level, and full day care. Barbara developed a curriculum to foster early learning; she was adamant that children develop knowledge of the world around them as well as important skills. Testament to the quality of learning were enrollment waitlists and kindergarten teachers' ability to identify the excellence of Red Balloon graduates.

Her students' families were important to Barbara. She relished getting to know parents, sharing their joys and hardships. She lent a hand when possible, sometimes accepting payment in services. One family was burdened by a car that repeatedly broke down, so Barbara lent them money to buy a replacement. The school opened its doors even the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve because Barbara knew working parents needed support.

The Red Balloon was the great passion of Barbara's life. Over the three decades that she ran the school, she taught countless children of original students.

Barbara held many opinions and expressed them often and loudly. Her causes included the environment and animal welfare, teaching her students to take spiders outside instead of killing them. She loved dogs, gardening, Long Beach Island, NJ, Sanibel Island, FL, and the Catholic Church. Unable to resist a bargain, she got a charge out of estate sales, thrift shops, and buying houses.

Born August 21, 1937, Barbara was raised in South River, NJ, the daughter of Frank and Agnes (Witkowski) Subjack. At UConn, she proudly belonged to Delta Zeta Sorority. She met her husband, Joseph, at the South River post office where they worked one Christmas break. The two married in 1960. With Joe serving in the Navy, they were stationed in Florida, Tennessee, and California. Barbara collected friends everywhere they went.

The Ziemians eventually settled in Cinnaminson, NJ. Even while running her business, Barbara found time for the American Association of University Women and the Cinnaminson Republicans. She volunteered for many nonprofits, including wheeling a cart to patient rooms at Zurbrugg Memorial Hospital and answering phones during WHYY's annual fundraising auction. After retiring, Barbara and Joe spent their winters in Florida, residing first in Sanibel, then in neighboring Fort Myers. Summers found them in the mountains outside of Hazleton, PA, and later in Southampton, NJ.

Barbara is survived by husband Joseph, son Joseph, daughters Joelle and Jocelyn, granddaughters Sophie and Alina, and two dogs. She is predeceased by her brother, Frank Subjack.

The world is quieter and less interesting without her. She will be missed beyond measure.

Commemorations of Barbara's life will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center of Scranton, PA.