ALBANY –Frederike “Fritzi” S. Barker, 92, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Albany Medical Center Hospital. Frederike was born in Graz, Austria. She attended college in Vienna Austria for English. She emigrated to the United States in her early twenties, and attended New Jersey State College in Glassboro, NJ and received a masters degree. She lived in Albany for many years and was employed as a high school English teacher. She would often travel back to Austria to see her friends and family and stay at her childhood home. She was an extremely talented painter and could paint better than any instructor. She was a member of the Victorian cultural league and loved going on trips and seeing all the old sites and talking with all her friends. She loved classical music. She loved to go out to eat and order Austrian food. Her favorite thing to do was going to thrift stores and buying expensive and antique clothes at a bargain! She dressed up every day even if it was raining and there was nowhere to go. She wrote countless cards to friends and family on every single holiday, birthday and event, not just Christmas. She always had small gifts and items set aside to give to people including stacks of magazines, but wouldn’t accept $1 from someone else. Fritzi was a tough independent women. She would never let anybody help her or support her. She would never complain or tell anyone if something was wrong. She stayed strong until her last moments on earth.
Frederike is survived by her daughters Bridget and Julia Barker; and her grandchildren Dominick Viscusi, Kristina Blinstrub, and James Blinstrub.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany (behind CVS) on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany on Monday, October 25, 2021, from 4-6 p.m. Interment will be in Greenridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Click here to view Frederike’s resting place in Green Ridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, New York.
This is a video tribute to Frederike:
Aunt Lucy
Powerful prayers of peace and comfort for you all. Fritzi sure was a strong woman, a pioneer and artistic spirit. Well done Dom Viscusi
John BLINSTRUB
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to Fritzi’s family and friends. Though my contact with Fritzi was generally from afar, I sensed all that this beautiful obituary details of her spirit and strength. I am especially grateful that Kristina, James and Dominick were able to enjoy a bond with Fritzi. May GOD Bless, Rest in Peace.
Carol Jewell
I am so sorry to hear about Fritzie’s death. I loved her art, and am proud to say that one of her beautiful paintings hangs in my home.
I can only imagine the scenes she is able to paint now.
Carol H. Jewell
Albany, NY
sam Kaido
my condolences to fritzis family thru my frendships with bridget and julia i came to know fritzi she was always very sweet to me
Patsy Goldsmith Apt 503
I am so sorry to hear of Frederike’s passing. I am one of her neighbors on the 5th floor. She always had time to chat whenever we met. I also admired her beautiful art work. I ended up doing some alterations for her when she learned that I was a sewer and quilter. I will miss her friendly face. What a great lady and friend. Your whole family are in my prayers. RIP Frederike.
Kristina Blinstrub
My grandmother, “Fritzi” was a remarkable woman. We became very close in recent years, corresponding through letters and by phone multiple times a week. She was beautiful, sensitive, artistic, intelligent, and inspired. I enjoyed hearing of her travels and am proud of my Austrian heritage she taught me so much about. She had gorgeous unique keepsakes and paintings that I will forever keep with me. She will be missed and loved always.
Rest In Peace,
Kristina
Tess Gerstenberger
Sending my love and prayers to the family sorry for your lost my condolence
Perry Junjulas
I was so sorry to hear of Fritzi’s passing. Fritzi was a good friend to all of us at the Albany Damien Center, donating her considerable talents in donating her incredible artwork over the years to many of our benefits, including the long-running Art for AIDS Sake. We have so appreciated all of her love and support over the years.
Sincerely – Perry Junjulas & all of us at The Albany Damien Center
Charles J. Zimmerman
My partner, Matthew B. Thornton, and I are grateful to Fritzi for having introduced us to her long term art instructor Lucinda Abra of Catskill, NY. Lucinda, internationally known and award winning multi-media artist, surely provided Fritzi and provides her students with a multitude of creative and inspirational paths to personal discovery.
Rest in Peace.
Charles J. Zimmerman
Susanne Pahr
Meine Anteilnahme übermittle ich meinen Halbschwestern Brigid und Julia und dem Dominick Viscusi !
Susanne Pahr bin ich ,die erste Tochter von Frau Fritzi Barker und Dr.Alfred Pahr in Österreich !