Obituary: Barbara Long Zafuto

May 1, 1937 – May 7, 2024

Barbara Long Zafuto of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and formally of Grand Island, died May 7.

She was the loving mother of Mary Beth Zafuto; the sister of Sharon Long Nichols and David Karl Long (Sylvia) of Grand Island; the daughter of the late Karl and Kay Long; and also survived by nieces and nephews Robert Nichols (Cyndy), Susan Nichols Horan (Edward), Ann Nichols Ruland, Jonathan Nichols and Jennifer Long Giamberdino (John Mark), and three great-nephews and five great-nieces.

Education was very important to Barbara. After graduating from Williamsville High School in 1954, she went on to graduate from Alfred University in 1958. She taught math at Amherst High School for two years and for the Grand Island school system until 1980. Barbara received her master’s degree from Buffalo State College. In 1972, she spent a year attending Tallahassee Florida State University. In 1981, she moved to Florida and got a computer science degree from University of Central Florida and began working for Martin Marietta. In the evenings, she taught at the Coalition of Orlando, a homeless shelter, where she helped the clients get their GED and a job.

Barbara enjoyed travel. When China was first opened up, she made the trip and she also visited many of the European countries. In the year 2000, Barbara spent nine months going around the world. A trip of a lifetime! And with the aid of the internet, she shared her trip with family and friends back home.

Barbara was a founding member of the Grand Island Historical Society. For several years, Barbara and Sharon ran the hot dog stand in Ferry Village.

While living in New Smyrna Beach, she volunteered at the visitors center and was heavily involved with the New Smyrna Beach History Museum. There, she portrayed Mayor Hanna D. Bonnet on her walking tours.

A celebration of her life will take place at a later date on Grand Island.