Barbara S. (Walsh) Calarco

Barbara S. Calarco, 84, of Seneca Falls, passed away peacefully at Geneva General Hospital on Sunday, February 9th, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on her birthday, Friday, March 7th, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, 97 W. Bayard St., Seneca Falls. A private burial with full military honors will take place at the convenience of the family at NYS Veterans Cemetery - Finger Lakes.

In memory of Barbara, donations may be directed to Pathway Home of the Finger Lakes, Kirk Casey American Legion Post 366, or Waterloo VFW Post 6433.

Barbara was born on Long Island and grew up in Hector, NY. She attended local schools and, shortly after high school, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where she proudly served for four years during the Vietnam Conflict. In 1963, she returned to the Finger Lakes and made Seneca Falls her home. During this time, she attended Eisenhower College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services.

Barbara dedicated her career to helping others. She worked as an activities director at Seneca Nursing Home, served as a social worker for Seneca County, and later retired from the Seneca Army Depot, where she worked in the records department until its closure.

Barbara had a presence that could not be denied. To those that loved her, she was known as "Nana". She had a brilliant intellect, a unique sense of humor and her laughter was contagious. From her outrageous sentimental Christmas gifts to her even crazier stories that went with the gifts. The impromptu concerts she would involve all the grandkids in to sing along with the special instrument she had got them, her personality is unforgettable. She gave everything she had to those she loved and then some. That's just Nana being Nana. You had to know her! She took great pride in passing down her values to her grandchildren, who were always her top priority.

She loved playing the piano, reading (especially the Bible), listening to music, and traveling—whether just around town or across the country. She was happiest by the ocean. Barbara was a member of the Kirk Casey American Legion and a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Karen (Daniel) Altimari; her son, Joseph Calarco; six grandchildren: Douglas (Sara) Urquhart, Sarah Urquhart, Eric (Lauren) Urquhart, Nicholas (Mackenna) Calarco, Madeline (Ryan) Morris, and Trevor Bohannon; and eight great-grandchildren: Hunter and Hailey Urquhart, Christian, Malana, and Grayson Calarco, and Maddox, Sloane, and Lawson Morris. She is also survived by her brothers, Richard and David Walsh, as well as her beloved great-grand dogs, Bub Franklin Walters, Woodford (Woodhead) and Captain.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Alice (Martell) Walsh; her infant son, David John Calarco; her half-brother, Jack Walsh; close family friends and her daughter’s in-laws, Santo and Phyllis Altimari; and her favorite cat, Chloe.