Barbara Jean Smocer

March 24, 1944 - May 26, 2020


Barbara Jean Smocer
Age 76, of Cranberry Twp., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 after a long and inspiring battle. She was born March 24, 1944 in Pittsburgh, daughter of the late Henry and Sue (Davis) LaRosa. Beloved wife of the late Anthony Smocer, whom she married on May 8, 1965; loving mother of Susan (Ron) Platt, Michael H. (Malinda) Smocer, and Jessica Smocer; grammy of Makara, Marin, Gage, and Parker; dear sister of John (Judie) LaRosa, and Alice (Rick) Applegate.

Barbara was an educator by vocation and by nature. She taught through empathy and love, not through discipline. She was deceptively tough, but only as a last resort. She believed in the inherent good in all of us and there were no mistakes you could ever make that would change her mind.

She taught through her grace in living and her grace in dying. She often laughed at herself, but never at others. She was an ideologue of the best sort, never idealistic on behalf of her own self-interests, but always on behalf of others’. Her first instinct was always to seek ways to help others, and that instinct remained unchanged even in her
most challenging moments.

She loved nice clothes and always looked her best even when she had nowhere to go. She was immensely curious about cultures, new technology, politics…the topic didn’t matter there was always something else to learn. Barbara did nothing halfway. Parenting, shopping, cooking, gardening, reading, and on and on. Her interests were broad and her zest for life contagious.

Barbara was as beautiful as her life. Her personality lit up a room, and no disease was ever able to change that. Not even in her last days. Her greatest joys in life came from her family…her many dogs, her children, her grandchildren, and especially her husband of 50+ years. Anyone who ever watched them dance in this world knows what they are doing again.

We are so fortunate she was a part of our lives.

Due to our Nation’s Current Pandemic, private family services will be held Friday at 3 pm. A streaming of Barbara’s Celebration of Life officiated by Rev. Jim Torquato will be available to those unable to attend. Please contact Michael Smocer for details: mhsmocer@gmail.com

Professional Arrangements entrusted to Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry Twp.

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  • Jen LaRosa

    Dearest Auntie Barbara,
    You will be terribly missed and remain most intensely loved. You spent 76 years making some many peoples lives happier, healthier, and fuller. Rest In Peace. Love, Jefinner, John, Ryan, and many dogs xoxo

 

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