Wolin, Rev. Barbara J. (Collins)

On May 26^th, 2025, at age 83, Barbara Wolin passed away peacefully with her family and dog Kayla by her side at Sunrise of Crystal Lake.   Born April 8, 1942 to Francis Walter Collins and Adelaide Collins in Rochester, New York. 

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Walter Collins, her husband Donald Wolin, and her son Daryl Wolin.  She was also predeceased by her grandmother, Flossie Collins, a very special person in her life as a child and eventually becoming her caregiver in later years.

She is survived by her daughter, Wendi (David) Frederick of Chicago, her grandsons, Justin (Amanda) Frederick of Chicago, Matthew (Breanna) Frederick of St. Louis and Daniel Frederick of Chicago, her brother-in-law Len (Nina) Lustik, sister-in-law Ellen Ferrara, and niece Michelle (Shawn) Carson in Rochester.

After spending her early years in Florida and Rochester, she settled in Rochester and began her career at General Dynamics.   Following this, she worked for a local travel agency, Traveltime Travel Bureau.   At the travel agency, she met her husband Donald, and they wed on May 21, 1967.   They eventually settled in Pittsford, NY to raise their family.  When her children started high school, she decided to pursue an education in Accounting at St. John Fisher.  This allowed her to work part-time as an accountant for Elmer’s Brighton Garage in Brighton, NY and raise her family.

After losing her husband in 1986, Barbara ran the family business, The Jewish Ledger, for a year until it was sold in 1987.   After this, she was able to fulfill a life-long dream of becoming a pastor.   She chose Rochester Colgate Divinity School to pursue her education.   She returned to the divinity school in 1992, to officiate the marriage ceremony of her daughter and son-in-law.

Barbara spent several years serving the Rochester community through volunteering and pastoral work at various churches.  She served at United Church of Pittsford, United Church of Marion, Morton Baptist Church, Salem United Church of Christ and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.  She was instrumental in the building of the Shepherd Home in Penfield, NY providing a home-like setting for people at end of life.   She spent many years at Hope Lodge helping people heal during their medical journey.  In 2008, she was awarded the Faith in Action award by the Greater Rochester Community of Churches, recognizing her as a person who puts “faith into action”.

She was an avid gardener and took pride in her home and her gardens.   She was an animal lover and shared many good years with her pets.   They loved her and she loved them.  

Barbara’s special gift was her ability to walk with people who were at the end stage of life, listening and spending time with many people.  Our family is grateful for the friends and family who supported her during her end of life.   Thank you to Mindy Farina, Michelle Carson, long-time friend Sandy Clark, her friends within the community, her church community at First Baptist Church, Caregivers at Sunrise of Crystal Lake, Journey Care Hospice services and all who brought her peace.

She will be laid to rest at White Haven Memorial Park next to her husband, near her son, and with many of her pets that provided joy during her living years.   The interfaith service will be officiated by Reverend Joanne Gilbert-Cannon from First Baptist Church of Rochester and Rabbi Stein from B’rith Kodesh Temple.  The service will be on Sunday, June 1^st at the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park.   Calling hours will be from 12:30 to 1:30 with a service from 1:30 to 2:15.   All are welcome to join the family.  The burial will follow and be private for the family only.   

Those wishing to make a donation may do so to Hope Lodge in Rochester, NY at 1120 South Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620; Lollypop Farm in Fairport, NY at www.lollypop.org; or First Baptist Church of Rochester on Allens Creek Road in Pittsford, NY at rochesterfbc.org.