Barbara J. "Barb" Rubicz, age 77 of Big Rapids, passed away Friday, March 6, 2020, with her family by her side. She was born December 6, 1942, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the daughter of Florian and Stephanie (Gacioch) Haligowski. Barb met the love of her life Thaddeus "Ted" Rubicz when they were 13 years old. They both were 1960 graduates from St. Stanislaus High School in Detroit. Barb and Ted were married on August 17, 1963, and together they raised their family in Detroit until they moved to Big Rapids in 1977. Barb was employed by various businesses in the food service industry, including: managing Kentucky Fried Chicken for over ten years, cooking for Big Rapids High School, and catering events. She enjoyed crafting, knitting, and ceramics. Barb believed in the good in people and she wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. Barb was a caregiver, in every sense of the word, for her children, neighborhood kids, family, friends, or anyone that needed it. Barb will be missed by all whose lives she touched. She is survived by three children, Lynda Rubicz, Donna (Roger) Bauer, and Mike (Shery) Rubicz, all of Big Rapids; nine grandchildren, Jason (Tim Sanborn) Merrill, Tim (Sally Bender) Merrill, and Sarah (Joey Hooper) Merrill, Zack (Karla) Bauer and Katie (Matt Badalucco) Bauer, Alexandria, Jacob, Jorden, and AnnEliza Rubicz; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Barb was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Thaddeus Rubicz on November 20, 2019; and sister, Florence Kowalski. Funeral services will take place 12:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Ron Witbeck officiating. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11th, at the funeral home and again from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday before the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Barbaras name to the family. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Funeral Service Thursday, March 12, 2020 12:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307 Visitation Thursday, March 12, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307 Visitation Wednesday, March 11, 2020 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307