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Barbara was born January 12, 1946, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, to Nikola and Jagoda Sever. After World War II, the family moved to Gary, IN, when her father, Nikola, was discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps. She attended Gary Public Schools from kindergarten through her graduation from Horace Mann High School. Barbara then went on to Indiana University in Bloomington and later completed her nursing degree at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.
On May 23, 1987, Barbara married the love of her life and soul mate, Frank Skala. They spent six years living in California before returning to make their home in Ogden Dunes, IN. More recently, they enjoyed winters together at their second home in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Barbara was a lifelong church member of St. Sava and supporting member of the St. Sava Kolo, St. Sava Choir, and previous member of the St. Sava Historical Society. Frank and Barbara are devoted supporters of the children in Serbia through Lifeline Chicago. Inspired by her own joyful experiences at St. Sava Camp in Libertyville, IL, she extended her generosity to help sponsor a camp in Serbia for children from orphanages as well as those living in Kosovo.
During her professional career, she was Vice President of Nursing at several hospitals in California and Indiana. She was also the Team Nurse of the Oakland Raiders Football team.
Barbara took great pride in being a Teta to her nieces and nephew and had a strong and positive influence on their lives and her Kumovi’s lives.
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Notification of Barbara’s passing is a major shock and truly sorrowful news for us. She was a wonderful, gregarious, strong, independent, friendly, intelligent, happy, and loving person. We don’t believe, that she ever met a stranger either. Also, she was a very generous individual, who would do almost anything to help a relative, friend, or acquaintance in need. She made sacrifices for others especially her family. We were welcome to her home at anytime. We will miss her dearly particularly at any future HMHS class reunions. She was always a bright light in past class reunions. Rest in peace, Barbara!
Steve & Susan Gonzalez
Barbara was a superwoman…good at everything she did. I enjoyed growing up as her neighbor and friend. She will be missed.
Barbara was such a nice person.
I remember having some great times, especially in the summer, with Barbara and Ruth Ann!
Prayers to all her family and friends.
She will be missed by so many people!
Barbara seemed somewhat “aloof” to me during several years after high school but I had the privilege of entering her intimate world in which she was loving, caring, thoughtful, helpful, respectful, bright, and understanding of her family and friends—-how very wrong my perception was for over 25 yrs! Barb could relate to the top dog OR underdog in life. She was perceptive, wise, and intuitively aware of the needs of her family and friends and provided that closeness we all so deeply require. I will miss Barb and will pray that she joins the rest of God’s angels looking down on us with her great, warm smile daily!!! Thank you Barb!! ❌⭕️🙏💋😇🌹🏆💙👩⚕️✝️🧘😥⛪️🙏🙏🌹🌹🥂💋💋💋🙏🙏