Memorial today for longtime Admiral Safeway staffer Barb Fuda

(Sorry for the short notice. We only found out about this because WSB’er Diane was at Jefferson Square Safeway late last night and told us about the announcement she saw posted on a wall.)

The funeral Mass is at 3 pm ***today*** at Holy Rosary for Barbara Ann (Barb) Fuda, a longtime Safeway employee who had been looking forward to going back to work in Admiral when the new store opens in two months – but lost her battle with cancer last Saturday. The notice up at Safeway says she worked for the company for almost 41 years, starting at the old Admiral store at age 15. We don’t have an electronic copy of the posted announcement but transcribed this from a photo:

… Barb was one of the most dedicated and loyal Safeway employees to grace the Metro District. Barb and one of her lifelong friends Karen White were the first female courtesy clerks to be hired in the old south district. She always greatly cared for not only the Admiral store, but every employee and customer in it. She went above and beyond the regular work duties in volunteering for things like writing the store newsletter to participating in fundraising efforts. Barb was also a major planner in all the store parties, from celebrations to the many goodbyes that occurred over 40 years … She will be missed by all who worked with her and the thousands of West Seattle customers whose lives she touched with her caring heart and mischievous smile. She managed all this while tirelessly being the ultimate mother and wife.

The closing of (the Admiral store) was an emotional time for her and her loyal customers who waited more for the “return of Barb” than they did for the opening of our new store … Barb’s passing is a great loss to Safeway and the entire West Seattle community.

The screengrab with Ms. Fuda’s photo is from an obituary in the Seattle Times (WSB partner) earlier this week. You can read it here.

14 Replies to "Memorial today for longtime Admiral Safeway staffer Barb Fuda"

  • JanS June 10, 2011 (1:06 pm)

    this is so very sad…Barb was great. I so hate cancer. :( My heartfelt condolences to her family and to the Admiral Safeway family.

  • Pam June 10, 2011 (2:03 pm)

    Oh my God – so heartbroken. She got sick so quickly and we talked daily before the Admiral store closed. My prayers for her family – I am so very sorry.

  • Beth June 10, 2011 (2:33 pm)

    I am so bumbed. She was such a doll. I’m so sorry. Can I say right here, right now: FU CANCER!

  • sassy June 10, 2011 (2:45 pm)

    My thoughts are with her family & friends. Really shocking to read this news.

  • dsa June 10, 2011 (2:46 pm)

    This is sad news.

  • Carrie Ann June 10, 2011 (2:50 pm)

    It’s wonderful people such as Barb who made even the most mundane tasks like grocery shopping something to look forward to and enjoy. She will be sorely missed, and I offer my sincerest condolences to her family and the many friends she left behind. May she rest in peace.

  • Colleen June 10, 2011 (3:35 pm)

    So sad to hear about this. Barb was one of the greatest ladies out there, and was an honor to work with her and call her a friend.

  • Diana June 10, 2011 (8:21 pm)

    She was a wonderful person and worked very hard at a hard job. I will truly miss her familiar face, great sense of humor and the little “asides” we would share now and then.

  • Dan June 10, 2011 (9:25 pm)

    My thoughts are with her family at home, and her family at Safeway…. It really is the people you enjoy being with each day that make a workplace something you value….

  • Been There June 10, 2011 (10:15 pm)

    I wish I had come across Barb at some point. She seems like she was a real gem of a person. Cancer is horrible:(

  • Melissa Baker June 18, 2011 (10:17 am)

    Thanks for all the kind words about my mom. She was a remarkable woman. She cherished her Safeway family, her customers, and the entire West Seattle Community.

  • Whitney Fuda June 21, 2011 (5:34 pm)

    Many thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers for my mom and family. I have memories of growing up in the Admiral Way Safeway – and I know my mom cherished all of her dear customers and co-workers there. She loved all of you, and I miss her with all of my heart.

  • Gregg Hersholt June 26, 2011 (11:47 am)

    I am just seeing this sad news for the first time. Barb was a great friend for many years and always had a smile and a question about our kids. I was looking forward to seeing her in the new store. Her spirit will definitely be there.

  • Robert Fuda July 8, 2011 (11:08 pm)

    I just wanted to say Thank you to the seattle community for all the kinds thoughts and prayers for my wife Barb.And to safeway for the Park Bench what can I say but A Big thankyou.I was with Barb all the way and she gave her all trying to fight and beat cancer but at the end she was so tired she could not fight any more.Today was her birthday she would have been 57 so I wish her Happy Birthday we Love you and miss you.~`

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