Obituary of Barbara Lee Nigro

Barbara “Bobbi” Lee Nigro was born September 11, 1942 in Greenville, Ohio, to Marvin Lee and Dorothy M. (McClure) Jones. At the age of three her family moved to Evart, Michigan, where she gained friends easily and loved to make them laugh. She learned the value of work as a teen by setting pins at her father’s bowling alley. In her senior year Bobbi was voted Homecoming Queen and graduated Salutatorian of her class. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1964 with a B.A. degree and a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. Later she would receive her Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Central Michigan University.

Bobbi moved to Gloversville, New York, in 1964 where she accepted a teaching position at Knox Jr. High and taught English from 1964-67. After completing her Masters she served as a Supervisor to Student Teachers from Cortland State University. She coached girl’s volleyball at Cortland State and also at Wells Central. In 1978 her team at Wells Central won the Section VII girls volleyball championship.

On January 18, 1976, Bobbi married Thomas “Tom” M. Nigro and many new adventures were to follow. Golf became an added activity and she would later boast a “hole in one.” Like her mother, Bobbi would enjoy her deer hunting escapades and spoke fondly of her trip to Anticosti Island with “the guys.” She was never fearful of tackling any home improvement and spent many hours “cross stitching” artwork that would grace the walls of family and friends. Bobbi was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and a faithful volunteer with their prayer chain; she delighted the membership at their Harvest Dinner when she appeared in her Pilgrim Costume.

After Tom’s death, November 19, 2017, Bobbi moved to Lima, Ohio, to be near her sister, Becky. Even as memory declined, her sense of humor never ceased and she continued to entertain those around her with “one-liners.” Bobbi passed away on March 6, 2020. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Tom, her sister, Marianne C. Jones, and her brothers-in-law, Jack Jones and Tony Crocetta. She is survived by her sister, Rebecca “Becky” and Robert Komminsk and her sister-in-law, Ruth Crocetta. Nephews : Jack Jones, Kevin and Jackie Jones, Tony and Mary Anne Jones, Tim and Johanna Jones, Robert and Carolyn Komminsk, Tony Crocetta, and Jimmy and Melissa Crocetta. A niece: Charity and Kevin Hinkle. Great-Nephews: Terry and Kimberly Bender, Jesse and Kindra Jones, Nathan Jones, Brandon Jones, Justin Jones, Kevin Jones, Leo Jones, Henry Hinkle, Parker Hinkle and Charlie Hinkle. Great-nieces: Alexandria Jones, Evelina Jones, Cecilia Komminsk and Audrey Komminsk. Great-great nephews:Silas, Ezra, Salem, Malachi, Gilead, Llewyn, Edison and Sebastian Jones. Bobbi is also survived by Tom’s four children: Tom and Kathy Nigro, Michael Nigro, Tammy and Richard Purdy, and Tara and Paul Goliber. Grandchildren- Eric and Amelia Nigro, Marc and Todd Nigro; Kirstin, Kaylynn, and Kendall Purdy; and Nick Goliber. Great- grandchildren: Declan and Everett Nigro.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1 W Montgomery St. Johnstown, NY, where a service will follow at 11:30. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church’s Building Projects Fund or another charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville.