Barbara Rodda

Barbara Rodda of Novi, age 92, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025.

Beloved wife of the late Donald Rodda. Loving mother of Gary (Beth) Rodda, Jane (Mark) Breederland and the late Eric (Mitzi) Rodda. Dearest grandmother of Lauren (Andrew) Madsen and Anna Breederland, Sarah (Evan) Wilkins, Andrew (Madison), Daniel, and Joseph van der Harst.

Barbara graduated from Lafayette High School in 1951. In February of 1952 she married Donald Rodda. They spent 69 years devoted to each other and their family.

After moving from Buffalo, New York to Birmingham, Michigan and then to Mississauga, Ontario, Barbara and Donald made Novi home in 1978.

Barbara purchased the Northville Calling Cart in the 1980’s and welcomed newcomers to Northville with gifts and discounts from local merchants. She used the income from the business to put two of her children through college. In the early ‘90’s, she and her daughter launched Welcome to Novi and she continued to welcome many new residents to the community.

Additionally, in the early ‘80’s Barbara and her husband began Northville Machine Tools. In the 90’s their son, Gary, joined the team and she continued to assist with the business for the rest of her life.

In her adult years, Barbara became a Christian. Becoming a Christian redefined her life and her faithful savior carried her through many of her life’s joys and sorrows. Barbara was a member of Oakland Hills Community Church and loved meeting with her Wow (widowed old women) group, participating in “Lunch on Us”, and having friends over to visit (and usually beat) at a friendly game of checkers.

She lived independently in her own home and was still driving her car in 2025.

A memorial service will be held on May 10, 2025 at 11 am at Oakland Hills Community Church 37150 W. Eight Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Our Daily Bread Ministries or Oakland Hills Community Church.