Obituary of Barbara Mary Salow

Barbara Mary Sefcik was born on May 3, 1942 in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of three beautiful daughters born to the union of John and Elva (Schultz) Sefcik. Barb attended St. Mary’s Academy in Monroe. She had a brilliant mind and excelled at math. Barb deeply valued education and believed that it should never be denied to anyone. She was a parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church and St. Anne’s Parish. Being raised in a devout Catholic home, Barb understood the importance of having faith from an early age.

Barbara married the love of her life, Louis Salow, on February 4, 1958 in Monroe. Together, the couple were blessed with four children. Though being a mother was her most valued role in life, Barb was a woman with many talents. For many years she was employed as a waitress at Cracker Barrel restaurant. Barb also worked at Frenchtown Bar where she could frequently be seen shooting pool. A member of several pool and bowling leagues throughout Monroe, her tremendous skills helped bring her bowling team to the league playoffs. Barb also enjoyed trying her luck at the casinos. A lifelong fan of country singer, Vince Gill, she was ecstatic to have met him in person.

Barb was a master behind a sewing machine. At one point, she had five different machines at home and would go on sewing retreats to perfect her craft. The profits she made from the sale of countless sweaters she made helped put her youngest child through college. Not only was Barb an accomplished seamstress, she also loved to quilt and was a member of a local quilting guild. Barb was equally talented in the kitchen and took great pride in the wedding cakes she meticulously decorated. She had an affinity for strawberry décor which even included strawberry print wallpaper. Barb would also create her own unique strawberry items that she would sell at “Moments to Remember”, a gift shop she owned and where her children worked. Her store was featured in advertisements on the former WVMO-FM now Nash ICON station in Monroe. Friends and family often contributed to her growing strawberry collection. Barb also collected Precious Moment figurines and had more than three thousand unique tin cans. She shared a love for shopping with her son, John.

Barbara Mary Salow, age 80, of Monroe, Michigan passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Fountain View Senior Living of Monroe. Her passing was preceded by her parents: John and Elva Sefcik; two sisters: Marilyn Wahl and Sandy Thompson; and her mother and father in-law.

To cherish Barbara’s memory she leaves behind her loving husband of sixty-five years: Louis Frederick Salow of Monroe; three daughters: Lorraine (Michael) Saum, Julie (Douglas) Tibai, and April (Vent) Lynch; one son: John Salow (Jason Van Stone); fifteen grandchildren: Melissa, Steven, Patrick, Jonathon, Jacob, Mary, Melanie, Josh, Ben, Heather, Monica, Jared, Michelle, Megan and Martha; nineteen great grandchildren with one more expected soon.

Friends may gather on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 2:00 until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734)384-5185. A Worship Service Celebrating Barbara’s Life will be held at 7:00pm also at Merkle’s with Father Kishore Battu of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church officiating.  Cremation will follow through our on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation, of Erie, Michigan. Barbara’s cremated remains will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan at a later date.

Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or to share a photo.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Friends of Companion Animals: 2532 N Dixie Hwy, Monroe, MI 48162, https://friendsofcompanionanimals.org/.