It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Barbara Jean Hollink of Hilton, on April 15, 2025 at the age of 88. As Barbara would say, she died of “old age”, complicated by the cruel and unrelenting effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
The only child of Clara and John King, Barbara was born in Syracuse but spent most of her beautiful life in Rochester, Gates, and Hilton.
She had childhood aspirations of becoming a nun, a goal for which her family is forever grateful that she failed to achieve. Family was the most important thing in her life, always selfless and doing everything in her power to support the people around her. Barb met Bill, her husband of 56 years, while working at Delco. After a nice courtship and a few bowling dates, Barb, Bill, and Barb’s four oldest children became a family. Shortly thereafter, the family grew with the arrival of Tracy and Brenda. After the move to Hilton (from Gates) in 1972, Barbara took on the role of full-time mom, taxi driver, primary pool cleaner, confectioner of grape jelly and date & nut bread, jazzercizer, and of course, the most beautiful Mary Kay lady the company ever recruited. Correction: Mary Kay consultant (Barb always liked to point that out as it was a distinction from “The Avon Lady”). For twenty+ years, Barb was the smiling face in the office at Hollink Motorsports. Bill sold the bikes, and she wrote up the deals and swiped the credit cards. She enjoyed that job. She liked the customers and was particularly fond of her coworkers – especially if they were family!
Barbara loved to talk. She talked to everyone, about everything. Sometimes mom’s words got through “the filter” resulting in either infectious laughter or (for the kids) complete astonishment. Whatever the conversation, she always had the right words of advice for the children, and the right words of love and encouragement for Bill.
Barbara is survived and dearly missed by her loving husband, Bill; and her children, Kathy (Ted) Quichocho, Patty Schaller, Kevin (Bonnie) Niver, Peggy (Kevin) Van Houten, Tracy (Justin) Bevington, and Brenda Hollink. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Michelle (Ron) Eisman, Nicholas (Crystal) Quichocho, Cody Niver, Dylan Niver, Michael (Lauren) VanHouten, Sarah Pittman, Eva Bevington, and Nora Bevington. Barbara held a special place in the hearts of her great grandchildren, Bella, Emma, Ryan, Mia, and Carolyne.
A Celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, 735 East Avenue in Hilton. The family will receive visitors from 4 – 7 p.m. on Monday, April 21st. Barb’s Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd at 10:00 a.m. followed by Interment at Lakeside Cemetery in Hamlin.
Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter, 200 Meridian Centre Blvd Suite 110, Rochester, NY 14618 or Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, 2200 Military Rd, Tonawanda, NY 14150 – the organization that connected Barb with Ellie, her favorite dog that wasn’t even a pug.
