Barbara Gardner Trojan, age 93, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, in Chelsea, Michigan, which she had called home the last eight years with her daughter Lynn and son-in-law Michael.
Born on July 20, 1932, in Allen Park, Michigan, Barbara earned her degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University-then known as Michigan State Normal College.
In 1953, Barbara met Paul Karl Trojan on a blind date while attending a formal at the University of Michigan. They married ten months later and shared 63 years of marriage until Paul's passing in 2016. Together they built their cherished home in 1965 on Vorhies Road near Dixboro where they raised their three children Mark, Craig, and Lynn.
Barbara's love for education and teaching young people extended into later working in Outdoor Education with Ann Arbor Public Schools under the direction of Bill Browning. Her efforts helped instill a deep appreciation for nature in generations of students.
A passionate supporter of University of Michigan athletics, Barbara and Paul attended nearly every football game together from 1953 through 2016 only missing one home game during that time. She also attended and held season tickets for U of M basketball and formed many lasting and close relationships with other Michigan supporters. After Paul's passing she continued attending home football and basketball games through 2022. She also proudly served for many years on the board of the University of Michigan Club of Ann Arbor and then continued to attend those Monday luncheons at Weber’s that she so enjoyed listening to the coaches speak after the week’s games.
Barbara was a gifted seamstress, knitter, and primitive rug hooker. Her beautiful creations are treasured by her family. She found great joy in camping adventures over the years with close friends-the Pellicos, Kerrs and Cherrys- who became like family over the years and remained her dearest friends. Her other passion was her English Springer Spaniels receiving her first Springer in 1954. All were treasured and her last companion dog Quinn was always by her side and meant the world to her. Quinn was often referred to as her lifeline.
She is survived by her daughter Lynn Trojan Lesko (Michael); grandchildren Steven Lesko, Ciara Lesko; sons Craig Trojan (Lisa) and Mark Trojan (Liza); five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; also her very special niece Kathy Gardner Bellars, and caregiver, dear friend Sandie Lee, along with her special cousin Judith Guenther Philbrook of Ontario, Canada.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul; parents George F. and Beulah K. Gardner; brother George R. Gardner; and sister-in-law Betty Gardner.
Our heartfelt thank you to her Arbor Hospice team Nurse Karla, Aide Stephania and Music Therapist Collette who helped make her journey gentle, respectful and peaceful.
Barbara's legacy endures through her family and all those whose lives she touched with her kindness, thoughtfulness and love for learning and nature. She will be forever missed, and to you Mom, forever Go Blue!
