Barbara A. Stunzi

Barbara Agnes Stunzi, 85, of Saranac Lake, peacefully passed away in her home on June 24, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Barb was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake, born on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1941, to Chief of Police William J Wallace and Alice Munn Wallace. She grew up spending summers at camp on the shores of Lower Saranac Lake with her many Munn and Wallace cousins. She learned to boat and fish with her father, who introduced her to Albert Einstein when she was 5 years old. Barb also spent a great deal of time at the Guggenheim Camp estate where her paternal grandparents were caretakers for many years. She was very athletic in swimming, gymnastics, dance and cheerleading.

Barb met the love of her life, Albert Stunzi, more than 60 years ago while they were students at Saranac Lake High School. Their love story could be the inspiration for many 1950’s romance movies between the Cheerleader and Co-Captain of the football team, and it led them to be crowned Class Couple of 1958. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1960 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. Al and Barb honeymooned in Montreal, Canada and had a great laugh when they couldn’t toast with champagne because neither was 21 years old! Their earthly love endured until Al passed away in 2014 and spiritually continues to this day. They loved their hometown in the Adirondacks, where they raised their family and became deeply rooted members of the community.

Throughout her life she worked as a secretary for the American Management Association, The CCD Center of St. Bernard’s Parish with Sister Rhea where they provided support for religious education and prepared catechism classes for public school children and became a loan officer at The Bank of Lake Placid (now NBT) for 25 years until retirement. She also provided admin services to Albert throughout his second career as a real estate agent.

Barbara was a faithful Catholic serving many roles in support of St. Bernard’s. Her connection to God and Spirit expanded to include studying Reiki and she earned 3rd Degree Master Practitioner status. She was also a talented water douser, successfully scouting countless wells in our region.

Encompassing all, Barb was an artist. Her creativity took many non-professional forms as a seamstress, barber, baker, photographer, florist and too many arts and crafts to list. Over the years her greeting cards, jewelry and painted rocks were sold at local stores with all proceeds donated to St. Jude’s Hospital in her father’s name. She shared these activities with her children and grandchildren, leaving many happy memories and skills with them.

Barbara Wallace Stunzi is survived by her two daughters: Maureen Stunzi Santiago and Mary (George) Waterson. Her grandchildren: Erica Whelan, Chelsea Tremblay, Josh Tremblay, Dominique Santiago and Raymond Santiago. Her great-grandchildren: Alice Longo, Anna Longo and Amelia Craft. She is also survived by her sister Sharon (David) Fregoe and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents; her loving husband and their infant sons Francis, Albert, Robert and William; her grandson Michael Albert Whelan; her sister Alice (Fuzzy) Scollin and her brother Bill Wallace. We pray for them to rest in eternal peace with our Lord.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Bernard’s Church on Monday, July 6th at 11:00 am with Rev. Martin Cline Officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.