Barbara Brooks Pecuch of Buda, Texas passed away on Aug. 2, 2018 after a short but hard fought battle with cancer, just shy of her 83rd birthday.
She was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1935. Barbara married Al Pecuch who served in the United States Air Force. With the USAF, they lived in Washington D.C., Germany, South Carolina and in 1976, the family moved to Texas where Al was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base.
The family moved to Buda and became parishioners at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in 1977, where Barbara remained very active until the time of her death. Barbara served on the first Parish Council, was Director of Religious Education, a member of the Finance Council, the Building Committee, St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Building Use Coordinator, Chairman of the Finance Council, member of the School’s Finance Council, an officer of the Altar Society and volunteer in the Religious Education Office. She was selected as one of the first recipients of the Catholic Diocese of Austin’s Lumen Gentium Award, “Light of the World” in 2004 for offering her time, talents and making a difference in the life of her parish.
Her commitment to service extended to the community of Buda. She was President of the Board of Trustees for the Buda Library, Board member of the Buda Seniors Center, and one of the initial people involved in developing the Hays Athletic Fields in the 1980s. In 2014, Barbara was honored with the Community Builder Award in recognition for her distinguished service, personal contribution and dedication to the community of Buda, Texas presented by the Buda Masonic Lodge. Barbara also had successful career as as a Texas Realtor for over 35 years and in her earlier career with the Insurance Company of North America (INA), she was the first female underwriter for that company.
Her religious and community commitment, although extensive, paled in comparison to her commitment to family. Barbara was an extraordinary mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her granddaughters and wanted to “show them the world” by taking them and her daughters on trips around the world, traveling to many countries in Europe and as far as Russia! Barbara was a true adventurer and was always ready to see new places. In the last fews years, she traveled to the Holy Land and Middle East on her own and to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada with her beloved sisters.
Barbara is survived by her loving daughters Ann-Marie Sheely and husband Brian and Stephanie Pecuch of Buda, Texas; granddaughters Jenna and Brooke Sheely; sisters Sandra Meehan (Michael), Ann-Marie Davis (Rick), Linda Saslowsky (Mike), and brother Ernie Brooks; brother-in-law Stephen Pecuch, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Al Pecuch and her parents Ernest and Annie Brooks.
Barbara’s generous spirit was truly remarkable. Hard work never deterred her and helping others always motivated her. She remains an inspiration to all and was a one of kind individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. A funeral mass was held on Aug. 6, 2018 at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda. An on-line obituary can be viewed at allfaithsaustin.com.