Barbara Jean Puffer

Barbara Jean Puffer passed away on the 24th of May 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was born, on February 1st, 1961 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and resided in the Jamestown, New York area the majority of her childhood and young adulthood. While she lived in Jamestown, she was employed by the Jamestown Resource Center where she excelled in working with people with disabilities. Bara graduated from Maple Grove High School in Bemus Point, New York where she loved playing the clarinet for the school band, then went on to attend Jamestown Community College. She is the daughter of Ann Russell Thomas and Gerald C. Peterson.

Barb lived in Naples, Florida during her early adulthood where she worked for the public-school system as a teaching assistant for disabled children. Following a long stay in Naples, she made the trek up north in late 2002, where she began a new journey in Wake Forest, North Carolina. During her time in Wake Forest, Barb continued her love for education and children, translating it into a career with Preschool Services in Raleigh, before moving to Avani Environmental.

Barb had three children James, Jessie and Janna that were the focus of her life. When living in Florida, she taught her kids to hunt for sand dollars and build sand castles. She made all their birthdays a celebration every year, going so far as to build her own custom Power Ranger, Barbie and Teletubby cakes. When the family moved to Wake Forest, she then taught them to have snowball fights.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her mother, Ann R. Thomas and her sister, Patricia Martonis (John Martonis) all of Jamestown, NY.

Barb had a strong love of animals, rescuing several throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed the sunshine and made an effort to be outside every day as possible. She had an infectious laugh that lit up an entire room with a warm and welcoming personality, befriending every stranger she crossed. She was strong-minded and never afraid to tackle even the most difficult of projects.

She was a devoted member of Grace Haven Baptist Church in Wake Forest. She most enjoyed the outdoor summer and Christmas Eve services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Grace Haven Baptist Church or Wake County SPCA. A memorial service will be held at 6:00p.m. on Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 at 726 Hicks Road Youngsville, NC 27596.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest. (919) 556-5811.
www.brightfunerals.com

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