Barbara "Babci" Latanyshyn

Barbara “Babci” Latanyshyn, 86, of Auburn passed away Friday May 22, 2026 in Auburn Community Hospital surrounded by family. Born January 3rd, 1940 in Vola Zagrodna, Poland, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Maria Slon. She and her husband, Mytro, emigrated from Poland in order to make a better life for their five children. She taught herself English, adding to the Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and German she grew up speaking. She worked hard for many years, ultimately retiring from Auburn Memorial Hospital in 1997. A dedicated Catholic, she was a communicant of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and was famous for praying two rosaries daily. For Barbara, family was everything. Most important to her was spending time with her granddaughters and great grandchildren. She was "Babci" not only to them, but to all of their cousins and friends as well.Her soups were “world famous” and a regular staple for her family, friends, and anyone who stopped by. Nobody left her house hungry. She loved to cook traditional Polish foods, especially pierogi, pigs in the blanket, nalesniki, and her granddaughters’ favorite “chicky soup”. She was also famous for her garden; both flowers and vegetables were her passion, and she was always plotting how to grow her garden and keep the woodchucks out! She was a fan of The Three Stooges, The Andy Griffith Show, and Judge Judy, often knitting a blanket for a family member while watching. She traveled extensively, with Aruba being a favorite spot. There, she made many friends and cooked Polish food for them even though she was on vacation. We know she is in heaven exclaiming “Oh Honey!” as she is looking down on her family and checking in on everyone’s gardens.She is survived by her children: daughter Donna Latanyshyn; sons Myron Latanyshyn (Valerie), John Latanyshyn (Mary), Roman Latanyszyn, and Bo Latanyshyn; granddaughters Katie (Nick) Stam, Liz (Conor) O'Donnell, and Emily (Delfidio) Domingo; great grandchildren Gracie, Johnny, and Jay; brothers Marion Slon and Kaziek Prokopczk, both of Poland, and several nieces and nephews. Barbara had a special place in her heart for her lifelong friend Irene Sajnog, and friends Ann Coleman, Sharon Bennett, and Liz VanWyckhouse, who provided companionship over the years. Barbara was known for making friends with everyone in every place where she went and will be missed by so many. In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Mytro Latanyshyn.A calling hour will be conducted Friday May 29, 2026 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at St Hyacinth Church, with the funeral mass to follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Arrangements are with White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., Auburn.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the American Heart Association. It was always her wish to have masses said for her as well.Tosend flowersto the family orplant a treein memory of Barbara "Babci" Latanyshyn, pleasevisit our floral store.