Barbara C. Parrish

On January 15, 2025, Barbara Carolyn (Kuehnl) Parrish passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on January 29, 1935 to Phyllis and Harold Kuehnl of Toledo, Ohio. The Kuehnl family owned a grocery store on City Park Avenue in Toledo and Barbara enjoyed working there during her childhood. She graduated from Springfield High School, Holland, Ohio, in 1953. On June 11, 1955, Barbara married the love of her life, Marvin E. Parrish, Jr., and they remained happily married until Marvin’s passing in 2012.

In 1967, Marvin founded the family business, Parrish Associates, and Barbara was named Vice President. She had many duties in the business, but her first priority was always her seven children. A homemade dinner was on the table every night at 5 pm for her family of nine! Likewise with breakfast…….and lunches were always packed in time for the arrival of the school bus each morning. The family enjoyed time together with their horses, dogs, cats and birds! Saturdays were reserved for family time working in the yard (after waffles for breakfast) and Sundays were reserved for church and a delicious meal at home after church. Barbara’s strong faith in God was the cornerstone her entire life was built around.

For many years, Barb and Marv owned a cottage on the Coldwater, Michigan chain of lakes and a condominium in Ft. Myers, Florida. Lots of happy memories were made at both places with their children and grandchildren. The family also took an annual summer trip to Evergreen Resort in Red Bay, Ontario, Canada, which always included other families and friends. Barb and Marv enjoyed traveling in their R.V. as well with their close friends to many beautiful destinations in the U.S.

Barbara is survived by her brothers, Mike (Carol) Kuehnl, Glenn (Barb) Kuehnl, her sister, Suzanne Kearns, her son, Jeff (Grace) Parrish and her daughters, Cindy (Dutch) VanderVlucht, Kate Sarmento, Judi Wilkerson and Jackie (Chris) Strong-Beyer, as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin E. Parrish, Jr., her brothers, Tom Kuehnl, Joe Kuehnl and his wife, Jane, and Dave (Elaine) Kuehnl, her daughter, Susan (Ron) Ammon, and her daughter, Debi (Mark) Keller.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of The Lakes of Monclova for their loving care of Barbara over the past few years. The family also thanks Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their kind care of Barbara in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Calvary Church, 1360 Conant St., Maumee, OH 43537 in support of their on-going outreach program for those in need. Barbara was blessed to receive many visits, cards and other remembrances from Calvary Church during her lifetime.

The family will hold a private celebration of Barbara’s life at a date to be determined.