Barbara Schwartzfisher

Barbara Louise Varnum-Schwartzfisher, 55, of Beaver Island, Michigan passed away Saturday, June 27, 2015 at her home on Beaver Island.

She was born October 24, 1959 in Manistique, Michigan the daughter of Charles and P. Sharon (McNally) Varnum and attended Manistique area schools.  She was a graduate of Manistique High School with the Class of 1977.  She continued her education at Lake Superior State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science.  She also worked on her Master’s Degree at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

Under the watchful eye of her late father, State Representative Charles H. Varnum, Barb grew up learning how to work with people and solve complex problems; and as a result of her father’s early mentoring, Barb was recognized as a people person and a problem solver throughout her work life.

Her first job was on behalf of the State of Michigan Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 where she taught clients how to find and secure employment.  She later accepted a position with Congressman Robert Davis where she successfully ran the congressman’s last two political campaigns.  In that position, she distinguished herself as a case worker and political consultant.

Following the Congressman’s retirement, Barb became the Director of the Emmet County Senior Center and was an integral part of the team that built the new senior center in Petoskey.

Barbara then accepted a position as the Executive Director for the Beaver Island Transportation Authority and held that position for many years until she recently accepted the position of Director of the Thunder Bay Transportation Authority in Alpena.

While living on Beaver Island, Barb served as President of the Beaver Island School Board and worked hard to pass a mileage for a new school.  She oversaw the construction of the new Beaver Island School and was proud of the fact that Beaver Island was the only school system in the State of Michigan to pass a mileage that year.

Wherever Barb worked, she added value and established herself as a patient leader/problem solver who could remove roadblocks in her path to getting the job done.

Barb loved to spend time as a mentor to family and friends.  She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her husband David, especially in warmer climates.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 23 years, David Schwartzfisher of Beaver Island; daughters, Olivia Schwartzfisher of Holland, MI and Sharon Schwartzfisher of Beaver Island; son, David Schwartzfisher of Petoskey, MI; mother, Sherry Varnum of Manistique, MI; brother, Mitchell Charles Varnum of Escanaba, MI; uncle, Fred McNally of Escanaba, MI; along with her cousins, Sally McNally, Don McNally, and Winnie Butrum.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles H. Varnum; her maternal grandparents, Don and Louise McNally; and her paternal grandparents, Henry and Mae Varnum.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:30am, Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Beaver Island Community School.  A luncheon will follow the service, at Holy Cross Hall.

Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery at Manistique.

Memorial donations may be directed to the 21st Century Learning Foundation at Beaver Island Community School.

Barbara, you were much loved and will be sorely missed.  Your dad, Charles would be proud.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mbfuneral.com