Barbara George DeClerck of Masonicare Mystic passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, surrounded by her family after a recent cancer diagnosis.
Barbara was born April 26, 1941, in Rochester, NY to the late Francis and Loretta George. She grew up in East Rochester and graduated from Our Lady of Mercy High School and Buffalo State Teacher’s College. She married Robert DeClerck and they raised their three daughters in Fairport, NY where she was very active in church and community organizations. She taught Kindergarten for twenty-five years in Catholic Schools. Three years ago, they moved to Mystic, CT to be closer to family.
Barbara was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She is survived by her husband Robert of sixty years, her daughters and sons-in-law Sue and Steve Peglow (Old Mystic, CT), Beth and Mike Koplovsky (Brussels, Belgium and Jamestown, RI) and Julie and Paul Oberle (Matthews, NC) and her grandchildren Ted, Kate, and Sean Peglow, Peter and Alex Koplovsky, and Charlie and Allie Oberle. She also leaves her brothers Robert and William George, a nephew and nieces, cousins and countless friends near and far. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Anne Marie Smith.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 16th from 4 to 6 PM at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 17th at 10 AM at St. John of Rochester Church, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, followed by burial at White Haven Cemetery, Pittsford. The Mass will also be live-streamed at https://stjohnfairport.org/streaming.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory can be made to Reading Is Fundamental (RIF.org) or a charity of your choice.
12 responses to “DeClerck, Barbara G.”
My sympathies and condolences to the family. I graduated with Sue and her mom/dad & family lived in our neighborhood. 🙏 Lisa Laurro and family
Thank you Lisa.
Sue and I first met as new teachers in the RCSD. We both married, and raised families in Crystal Springs Fairport NY. Barbara and I saw each other through the years. She always had a big smile and warm welcome and we talked about our kids. We often met at community events like Rochester Phlharmonic . Barb will be missed by her friends and family.
My deepest Sympathy to Sue, Beth, Julie, and all
Nancy Griffin Shadd
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Barb ,Jeannie Dwyer Alexander, and myself all went to Mercy high school together and in the past few years we would go out to lunch ,together always enjoyed Barb‘s Christmas card with her whole family on it. As you know, Barb was always a very kind and thoughtful person.
My thoughts and prayers are with Barbara‘s husband and family. Barbara, Jeannie, Dwyer, Alexander, and myself all went to Mercy high school. In recent years, we all went out to lunch together . Barbara was always a kind, dear sweet person. We have lost another beautiful person.
My heart goes out to you all on Barbara’s passing. I have many fond memories of times spent with Barbara. She was an amazing lady and always ready with a smile and encouraging words.
Holding you all in thought and prayer.
Mary
My sincere condolences to Barb’s family! She was a great kindergarten teacher at Seton Catholic School! Our love and prayers to all.
Mrs. DeClerk was my kindergarten teacher back in the 80’s at Queen of Peace/Seton. I can still picture that classroom today and remember the wonderful and loving environment she created for us. Teachers like Mrs. DeClerk leave a lasting impression on kids and I’m forever grateful!
Dear Family of Barbara DeClerck,
So very sorry for your loss. I taught with Barb at Seton Catholic School back in the 90’s. She was one of the BEST Kindergarten teachers and wonderful to work with. So many happy memories and good times together. May she now rest in Christ’s eternal peace.
Love and prayers,
Sr. Carolyn Rosica, RSM
Mrs. DeClerk was my kindergarten teacher at Seton and I loved seeing her charity of choice being Reading is Fundamental. She set me up for being advanced in reading forever. I had a momentary klepto phase and stole sticky tack off her desk. She dealt with it perfectly, kindly, and seriously – Enough to make me stop and really never really do it again. I’m imagining All the little and big things she spotted early On. What a gift to have had Mrs. Declerk as my teacher. She gave me a Lot of confidence in being a tiny, creative Kid.
I missed your mom so much when she moved I always felt a comfort knowing she was my friend and the perfect over the fence neighbor. she would call out “Margaret are you there?” a great time we had Now she’s watching from above. Condolences to all of you. Margaret
I missed your mom so much when she moved I always felt a comfort knowing she was my friend and the perfect over the fence neighbor. she would call out “Margaret are you there?” a great time we had Now she’s watching from above. Condolences to all of you.