Birth date: May 13, 1946 Death date: Feb 15, 2024
Barbara Gay Slawiak, 77, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2024. She was born on May 13, 1946, in Tampa, FL, to the late Edward and Exsine Nipper. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and fr Read Obituary
I met Barb so many years ago through work. She was the consumate professional and with an incredible sense of humor! But my best memories of Bab are as her friend . Such a kind and generous person and words cannot begin to describe this beautiful friend. We shared so many fun times together and I will miss her dearly ...
Judy and I first met Barb when she came to USAA. Her professionalism and humor were evident from day one. Her friendship came soon thereafter. We always looked forward to dining together and the trips to the mountains. She will certainly be missed and we are better for having known her. I could go on but I just heard Barb laughing and yelling down “Bite me.”
To Skip and the boys: So sorry for your loss. I have the fondest memories of Barb. A treasure of a person with a unique combination of smarts and wit.
As another who sorta grew up at The Penn (incarcerated for 16 years) I was not alone in appreciating her ability to keep the work environment light and fun.
Barb was the consummate jokester… Very big-sister-like for me -
If you wore glasses (like me) and left them on your desk, did you ever wonder why the lenses were smudged? THAT was because Barb rubbed her fingers on them laughed and ran back to her cube. Dang you Barb!!!
Did you ever answer your phone and wonder why the caller could not hear you? THAT’s because Barb taped over the microphone or just unplugged your headset! lol
I was extremely lucky to have been able to join with her to formally entertain the office a few times. Like the time we dressed up as Jim & Tammy Bakker the TV evangelists… We were “Jim & Tammy Bay Faker”. She loaded up on the eye makeup including tears and could’ve been the real Tammy’s twin haha – This was for a United Way event, and we promoted PTL as in Pass The Loot!
With Barb, I didn’t need a script! Not sure if the contributions went up that year but I guarantee we made everyone laugh!!
Then there was one of our infamous offsite “meetings” where we would do these goofy skits to kick-off the goals for that year. As you might imagine, there was plenty of adult beverages beforehand, during, and after which made our parodies even funnier – One year, I was Ollie North, the Marine officer who got caught up in the Iran-Contra affair, dressed in full military dress blues, and Barb played Fawn Hall his “secretary” dressed in Army green. Rarely could we stay on script, but no one seemed to care.
I do wonder how we got claims paid but we did...Those were the good ol days –
I imagine she's performing still and the Angels are laughing – Thanks for the memories, Barb – Tammy Bay – Fawn – Slawiak 😊
Jerry Claims-Clamon
The first time I met Barbara at an insurance fraud conference in 1999, she immediately enlisted me to help her play a prank on another insurance investigator. That was the quintessential Barbara, always laughing and making other laughs. The world has lost a wonderful person but now she's in heaven playing pranks on the other angels.
I met Barbara thru Insurance Women 40+ years ago. We have shared so many wonderful memories, beginning with rooming together at Insurance Women conferences to continuing to get together a couple times a year with our buds Barbara Cantero and Margie Bear. We shared so many laughs and we couldn't wait to hear Barbara's latest stories from her SIU investigations. No one could tell a story like she could. Barbara was one of the most generous individuals I've ever known. She was the definition of a true friend and she loved her family more than anything. To say that she will be missed is an understatement. She truly lit up a room wherever she was. Love you kiddo. Thanks for the memories! Linda Cooper
