Barbara A. Pratt, formerly Barbara A. Gardon

CUBA — Barbara A. Pratt, 84, of Grove Street, Cuba, went home to be with the Lord on Monday (Sept. 22, 2025). She was at home surrounded by her family and husband, Gary A. Pratt.  Her little dog Odie, her constant companion, remained at her side until the very end.

Barbara was a beloved wife, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many.

Born Feb. 28, 1941, in Buffalo, she was a daughter of Melvin and Virginia Griffin Mack.

Barbara graduated in 1959 from South Park High School, Buffalo.

In 1973 she and her former husband Donald F. Gardon moved the family to “the Farm” in Black Creek, and she has resided in the area ever since.  There were many experiences had at the farm for the kids, Donnie, Bonnie, Kim, Anne and Rachel. The many animals, the pond, the woods, the horses — Sandy, Shasta, Firecracker, and the opportunity to be close to nature made for precious memories.  Barb did an amazing job of making that old weathered farmhouse a cozy home.

Barbara was a very creative and talented artist, decorative painter and seamstress. She worked in many houses in Cuba. She had a gift for making things beautiful and better with very few resources.  She would get a twinkle in her eyes and say “paint is the best thing ever invented.” She helped all of her children with painting and making their homes nice and this brought her great joy.

She loved thrift strores and yard sales, and finding treasures for her loved ones.  Her flowers, the colors of the trees and the sky made her so happy, and in most recent years she would love to say “aren’t the colors the most amazing they have ever been.”

Barbara was a woman of many talents and in between painting and decorating she also worked at Moonwinks, the Cuba Patriot, the Cuba Cheese Shoppee and Strzelec’s farm.

On June 20, 1999, Barbara married Gary A. Pratt, her beloved husband, who survives. They had many adventures and trips together and with family and friends, including a cruise to Hawaii, a motorhome trip out west to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone, visits to Wanakena and a trip to Bar Harbor.

They have spent the last 26 years going to Hobe Sound, Fla. in the winters. They always had their little dog with them, the most recent being Odie. There is also a special place in their hearts for Molly and Abby.

Barb touched the lives of many with her unwavering faith, resilience, kindness and love.  She taught her children and grandchildren to love always, to never give up and to put our faith in Jesus. May we continue to carry on what she has taught us, to our children and to those around us, and to remember what she always said “Be patient and God always gives us what we need.”  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”  John 3:16

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Donald (Mary) Gardon of Colden, Bonnie (Thomas) Stolberg of Cuba, Kim (Lon) Kent of Cherry Creek, Anne (Dale) St. John of Madison, Ohio and Rachel (Mike) Ponka of Cuba; her stepchildren, Tim (Lan) Pratt of Tampa, Fla. and Caren (Brian) Donovan of Wanakena; her grandchildren, Kelly, Laura, Pierce, Nolan, Carly, Sarah, Grace, Amanda, Jesse, Ethan, Erin, Emily, Ryan, Noah, Andrew, Jordan, Gavin, McKensi, Kaitlin, Cory, Daniel, Katherin and Ella; 23 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Richard and Melvin Mack and Diane Dougherty.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 28, 2025) at the North Park Wesleyan Church, 32 Spring St., Cuba. A church service will begin at 4 p.m.  Rev. Jonathan D. Ward will officiate. Burial will be on Monday (Sept. 29, 2025) in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the North Park Wesleyan Church.

Arrangements are under direction of the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., Cuba.