With love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we celebrate the life of Barbara Jo Defoe Myers, who passed away peacefully on Aug. 5, 2026, after a devastating fall on July 10, at the age of 83.
Born in Bay City, Michigan, Barbara spent much of her life in the city she proudly called home. She graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1961 and was the beloved daughter of Mary Jo Burdick and William Martin Defoe, and sister to the late Billy Defoe, whom she adored.
Barbara took great pride in her family’s legacy. Her family founded Defoe Boat and Motor Works, which later became Defoe Shipbuilding Company, one of the nation’s leading shipyards. The company built naval vessels for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy, as well as several notable ships, including the presidential yacht enjoyed by five presidents, later renamed Honey Fitz by President John F. Kennedy, and the research vessel R/V Knorr, which played a key role in the discovery of the RMS Titanic.
At just 5 years old, Barbara had the honor of christening the 114-foot Cruisemaster, a memory she cherished throughout her life. She remained deeply proud of her family’s contributions to Bay City and beyond. Barbara married Bob Myers, and together they shared 49 years of marriage while making their home in Marblehead. Family was the center of Barbara’s world. She was a devoted mother to Stephanie Maitland (Scott), Amy Grammer (Bob) and Bill Myers, and a loving granny to Allison Marino (Paul), Molly Grammer and Jillian Drob (Tyler). She was a proud great-grandmother “Josie” to Jackson and Matthew Marino.
She held close the love of her stepbrother, Ned Burdick (Brenda), her stepsister Molly Marinaccio (Jim), her sisters-in-law Peggy Myers and Sandy Karamol (Ed), and her extended family, all of whom brought great joy to her life. Barbara treasured her Bay City childhood and often shared fond memories of her adventures with the “5th Street Gang:” Penny Sarkozy, Ellen Campbell, the late Janny Bollinger and the late Kaymary Rettig. She was also grateful for her dear friend Brenda Robert, with whom she attended productions at the North Shore Music Theatre.
Music and theater were lifelong passions. Her love of performing began as a child with backyard musicals and continued with high school productions and the Bay City Players. Barbara was a highly talented composer of art songs for voice and piano. Composing was her most treasured activity, and she would spend hours each day painstakingly perfecting her songs. Her music has been performed and recorded in Canada as well as the United States. She also loved dancing, found peace in nature and had a lifelong affection for animals. She embraced life with curiosity and adventure. Traveling brought her immense joy, and one of her favorite experiences was an unforgettable African safari. Whether exploring a new destination, attending a musical, spending time with family or relaxing with a classic Coca-Cola in hand, she found happiness in life’s simple pleasures.
Barbara will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, creativity, adventurous spirit and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the memories she created, the songs she wrote, the traditions she shared and the love she gave so freely. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Barbara’s memory to Doctors Without Borders or the World Wildlife Fund, two organizations that reflect her generous spirit and her love for life and animals.
