Barbara Ann Ayer, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend was surrounded by family as she passed on to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at her home in Athens, Georgia, at the age of 66.

Barbara received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from State University College of Buffalo and an M.S. in Education from Nazareth College. Later in life, Barbara completed an M.S. in Theology and Pastoral Studies from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. For 12 years, she directed religious education studies at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Bath, NY. In 2010, she retired from Nazareth Academy in Rochester, NY, where she taught theology.

One evening, (taking a break from her studies), early on in her life, while hanging out at the "Brick Bar," Barbara was introduced to the young man, and former neighborhood paperboy, who would be her lifelong partner, Gary Michael Ayer. Together, they would move to Sodus, NY, Bath, NY, Rochester, NY and finally Athens, GA. While in NY, they would together, raise their three children, Rebecca, Robert, and Gary.

Barbara was the foundation of the Ayer household, she stressed education and good character. Deeply spiritual and religious, she was a moral compass for her children and confidant for her siblings, children, nieces, and nephews.

Her sympathy, advice, and conversation will be forever missed. Her guidance, selfless attitude, and love for her family helped those who knew her sort through many of their personal battles. However, when breast cancer appeared, it was one battle that could not be won. Barbara's life work was her children, and she made many sacrifices so that their lives would be better than her own.

A native of Buffalo, NY, she is the daughter of the late Michael Dzielski and late Helen (Halady) Dzielski. Survivors include her beloved husband of 43 years, Gary Michael Ayer of Athens; her devoted children Rebecca (Thomas Breland) Ayer of Athens, GA, Robert (Nazanin Jafarian) Ayer of Suwanee, GA, and Gary (Tonya) Ayer, II of Miami, FL; her loving siblings, Michael Dzielski of Staten Island, NY, Theresa Petrik of Buffalo, NY, Anthony (Terry) Dzielski of Vero Beach, FL, and two wonderful grandchildren, Kiyan Ayer and Cyrus Ayer.

The family will be gathering to receive friends at the PIETSZAK FUNERAL HOME, 2400 William Street, Cheektowaga, New York  14206, on Monday, April 23, 2018, from 4 to 8 PM.

Family and friends are also invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at the St.John XXIII Parish, located at 1 Arcade Street at Harlem Road, in West Seneca, New York 14224, at 10 AM.

Inurnment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, in Cheektowaga, New York.

In lieu of flowers, her family prefers that memorial donations be made to The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia, PO Box 49309, Athens , GA 30604.