Obituary of Arlene M. LaBarbera

Arlene M. LaBarbera, 85, formerly of 9 Hotchkiss St., died Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Lutheran Home & Rehabilitation Center. She was born March 13, 1927 in Busti, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Cecil Wiesbrod Bucklin, and graduated from Lakewood High School. Arlene had been employed for 31 years as a teller by the former Marine Midland Bank in Jamestown. Following her retirement, she worked for 8 years in Security at Chautauqua Institution. She was a member of the First Church of God and a past president of Parents Without Partners. Throughout the years, Arlene had volunteered at the Salvation Army, Roger Tory Peterson Institute and Busti Historical Society and was a former 'Volunteer of the Year' for the United Way. She is survived by a son, Steven "Lubby" (Charlie) LaBarbera of Austin, TX; four grandchildren: Christine (Daniel) Contenza of Jefferson, OH, Brady (Jennifer) Engel of Topeka, KS, Jon (Brandy) Kosarek of Keller, TX and Matt (Sophie) Kosarek of Lewisville, TX; seven great-grandchildren: Zoe, Ava and Mia Contenza, Taylor and Alex Engel, and Kaylinn and Emma Kosarek; and two brothers: Wes (Sue) Tibbitts of Rochester, NY and Doug (Sharon) Tibbitts of Jamestown. In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by her step-father, Raymond Tibbitts; an infant son, Larry Anthony LaBarbera; a brother, Gene Bucklin; and her longtime companion, Russell "Danny" Russo. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Myron M. Myers and the Rev. Mervin R. Lee, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to the First Church of God, 291 Falconer St., Jamestown, NY 14701.