Barbara L. Baldwin
Barbara Lillian Gorodenski Orman Baldwin of Charlotte, a lady who may have been small in stature but had a feisty spirit, died October 6, 2021, at the age of 88. Barbara was born February 11, 1933, in McKean, PA to Nickola and Valeria (Cucera) Gorodenski. While growing up, her family enjoyed music and she and her sister Eva would sing harmony to entertain themselves and their family. A graduate of Vermontville High School in 1951, she went on to work as a private secretary and worked for over 50 years, with 25 years at John Bean in Lansing, and then 25 years at Dart Container in Mason. With her giving nature, Barbara enjoyed volunteering at Hayes Green Beach Hospital in Charlotte as a “Gray Lady” for many years, and she was a volunteer chaplain at the VFW as well.
Barbara enjoyed trips to the casino, writing poetry, doing handy work, and collecting bird figurines. “In order to have a friend, you had to be a friend,” as Barbara often said, and she made sure her friends and family knew they were loved and appreciated. She never complained and worked very hard to support her family not just working during the day as a secretary, but also working nights as a waitress after her first husband, Vernon Orman, died in 1961. Barbara was also very particular, she liked things done a certain way and wasn’t shy about telling you to be sure things were done the way she knew as the right way.
Barbara is survived by her son, Michael (Maureen) Orman; granddaughters, Julie (Todd) Fox and Kayli (LeRoy) Hummel; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emily Fox, Alexis and Kelsey Hummel, Nick (Sydney) Hummel, and Carley (Geoff) Cesaretti; five great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Joe (Elaine) Gorodenski. She was predeceased by her first husband, Vernon Lee “Mike” Orman in 1961, 2nd husband, Bruce Baldwin; and special friend of 31 years, Art Osterwald.
Friends and family are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her tribute page at www.prayfuneral.com. Funeral Services were held on Monday, October 11, 2021, 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with the family receiving visitors from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service on Monday. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Capital Area Humane Society. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home.