Barbara A. Collins Wetzel, 89, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was a resident of The Home of The Good Shepherd – Memory Care in Saratoga Springs, NY since April of 2019. The staff at The Home of The Good Shepherd truly loved "Barby" and provided exceptional care during the years she lived there. Barby gave that love back as she roamed the halls with a brightness that radiated throughout the building. The family is extremely grateful to all the employees in Barby's building.

Barbara was born on October 31, 1932, and was raised in Blue Mountain Lake, NY among the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. She spent many summers working at her family's lake-side resort and cottages, The Hedges. She made lifelong friends from those fun and influential years. She attended St. Elizabeth College in NJ before transferring to Syracuse University to study Nutrition. It was at Syracuse University that she met William A. Wetzel, her husband for 52 years. Barb and Bill raised their family in Suffern, NY where Barb taught pre-school while the children were young. As her children grew, she added to her coursework and became a Registered Dietitian for almost 20 years. Barb and Bill moved to Saratoga Springs during their later years. While living in Saratoga Springs, Barb continued her education by participating in poetry and sketching classes. Over the years Barb enjoyed cooking, but mostly preferred Bill's culinary skills. She wrote notes on the side of his recipes indicating whether the meal was enjoyed by the attendees, or what ingredients he might add in the future. She loved games, particularly card games. She taught her grandchildren Double Solitaire, and they would all admit that Grandma usually won. Barb almost always had a grandchild by her side; she was the ultimate babysitter. Throughout Barb's life animals were always present. In her later years, her animals were most important. They truly kept her going; she needed to care for them, and she did a good job at it.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, William Wetzel; her parents, John and Helen Collins; and her brothers, John Collins and Michael Collins. She is survived by her six children, Carol (Jerry) McIntosh of Tuxedo Park, NY; William (Maureen) Wetzel of Montvale, NJ; Thomas (Susan) Wetzel of Middle Grove, NY; Jeanne Butler of Saratoga Springs, NY; Margaret (Walter) Reidy of Saratoga Springs, NY; and James (Laurie) Wetzel of Hillburn, NY. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Dustin, Larissa, Christopher, Brandon, Ashley, Sarah, Eric, Siobhan, Graham, Jackie, Leah, Ian, Noah, Nigel, Jansen, Avery, Auggie, Maddie, William, Lillie, Leo and Aiden.

The family will be holding a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Barbara's honor to The Home of The Good Shepherd- Memory Care, 390 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at The Home of The Good Shepherd for the comfort and compassionate care they provided Barby and her family.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com .