Barbara Lane Vurnakes

Barbara Lane Vurnakes February 6, 1956 - May 26, 2022 Barbara Lane Vurnakes, 66, of Ocala, FL passed away peacefully on May 26, 2022 at her home after a brief, hard-fought illness. She was born February 6, 1956 in Miami, FL where her love of the beach began. Her family relocated to Raleigh, NC in April 1969 where she would graduate from Sanderson High School and then begin a successful real estate career. She went on to be a top producer for Chesson Realty in Durham, NC. She married Michael, her rock and love of her life, on September 2, 1983. They would then move and settle in Ocala, FL in April 1988 where they raised their two children Emily and Jeffrey. Barbara was always a businesswoman at heart. In the 1990's, she founded and owned a popular children's consignment shop "Kidstuff", which she eventually sold but is still in business today. Even when she decided to stay at home to care for her children, she was always finding ways to volunteer and help others. She loved people and found joy in giving her time to anyone she could. From installing smoke detectors for the elderly, being present at all her kids extracurricular school activities, to supporting our troops through donation drives and always being the "neighborhood mom", Barbara was everything to everyone. If you knew Barbara, you knew her biggest passion was the beach. She ultimately combined her love of the beach and photography into Laney Bug Photography. Michael and she spent countless hours photographing beaches up and down the coast of Florida which they turned into beautiful works of art and sold her photography at art shows across the Southeastern states. Barbara loved her family and the friends she considered family. She was truly a friend to everyone, always put others before herself, and did what she could to make the world a better place. Her thoughtfulness, sweet demeanor and kind heart will be greatly missed. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Juanita, and her sister, Coni. She is survived by her loving husband Michael; children, Emily Vurnakes Andrews (Dylan) and Jeffrey Vurnakes (Kathleen); and many cousins. Funeral arrangements will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Ocala. Reception to follow at the Vurnakes residence. While flowers are appreciated, the family instead asks that donations be made to help install a beachfront memorial bench in Fernandina Beach in Barbara's honor. If you would like to contribute, please contact Emily Vurnakes directly. Donations can also be made to Hospice of Marion County (checks can be sent directly to Hospice of Marion County, PO Box 4860, Ocala, FL 34478-4860)