Mia Teresa Wise

Mia Teresa Wise, born February 4, 1939, to John Sr and Eva Pasquarello. She was preceded in death by her husband Arlen Barker, her son William Langiewicz, her daughter Theresa Langiewicz, and her grandson Zacharias Langan. Surviving are her daughters Christine Langan, Dolores Barker, her granddaughters Theresa Zelinski, Alissa Portillo-Quispe and her great grandchildren Jordan Tanner, Jacob Tanner, Taylor Tanner, Niomi Portillo and Nikolas Quispe. Also surviving is her brother John Pasquarello, Jr.

Mia was very proud of her Italian heritage and continued to enjoy homemade Italian meals. Early in life, she was a switchboard operator at Norristown State Hospital. Then she owned a thrift store and a bait shop in Pottstown, PA. She lived the last part of her life at Brandywine Senior Suites East Norriton. The staff of Kindred Hospice cared for her until her passing from multiple long term illnesses.

She became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in her later years and attended the Coventry Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pottstown, PA.

Funeral Services will be held in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd in the Limerick Garden of Memories on Saturday January 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM. The family would like everyone to come as you are.

Family and friends may call Saturday at LGOM from 10:00am to 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Limerick Garden of Memories.

After services the family would like family and friends in attendance to join them at the Limerick Chapel 378 West Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA. 19468. for light refreshment and fellowship.

In lieu of cards and flowers, please send donations to American Foundation For The Blind at https://secure.everyaction.com/MH4zLpGUgUaU4wrXA5nQNw2

Arrangements by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc. 111 North Reading Ave. Boyertown, PA 19512

Online condolences can be made at www.lwottfuneralhome.com.

MIA TERESA WISE’S EULOGY

ALL OUR LIVES WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT FUNERALS ARE WHERE WE GATHER TO REMEMBER, REFLECT, SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE WE LOST AND TO GIVE OUR CONDOLENCES. THIS IS A GATHERING TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE MY MOTHER’S LIFE, WHETHER YOU KNEW HER AS MARY ANN BARKER YOUNGER IN LIFE OR AS MIA WISE AT THE BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP IN POTTSTOWN. CRY, SOB, LAUGH, SHARE STORIES, MAKE NEW FRIENDS, AND VISIT WITH OLD ONES. WHATEVER YOU ARE FEELING – EXPRESS YOURSELF – DON’T HOLD BACK! MIA DOESN’T JUDGE!!

MY MOMMA BEAR LIVED A VERY FULL LIFE, WAS VERY GENEROUS AND ONE TO “PAY IT FORWARD”. SHE WAS ALSO VERY GENEROUS WITH HER LOVE. MIA WAS OPTIMISTIC, UPBEAT, NEVER HAD A CARE IN THE WORLD, AND HAD A STRONG PERSONALITY WITH AN OPEN MIND. YOU COULD DISCUSS ANY TOPIC WITH HER. NO MATTER YOUR AGE. SHE’D HONESTLY AND OPENLY GIVE HER ARTICULATE, INTELLIGENT, AND NON JUDGEMENTAL OPINION.

MIA WAS A PERSON WHO COULD REMEMBER MULTIPLE TEN DIGIT PHONE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF HER HEAD. SHE WAS OLD SCHOOL WITH A PENCIL AND PAPER OR ADDING A BAIT ORDER IN HER HEAD TO INCLUDE SALES TAX! SHE WAS NOT ONE FOR CHANGE. SHE DID NOT DO WELL WITH TECHNICAL OR ELECTRICAL GADGETS. IF IT HAD A CORD – SHE’D BREAK IT. NOT ON PURPOSE, BUT DUE TO AN “UNFORTUNATE” ACCIDENT.

MIA LOVED HER COWBOY MOVIES AND COUNTRY MUSIC. SHE ENJOYED WATCHING BLACK AND WHITE MOVIES AND COULD TELL YOU THE ACTORS AND STORY LINES BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL “TREADS” – HER WORD FOR REPEATS. YES, THEY WERE ALL TREADS, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL 50 YEAR OLD MOVIES!!!

MIA WAS A TRUE ENTREPRENEUR, A PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY, AND RAN A THRIFT STORE BEFORE HER AND AL OPENED THE BAIT SHOP. AL, THE LOVE OF HER LIFE, PASSED 23 YEARS AGO AND MIA CONTINUED TO RUN THE BAIT SHOP. I HONESTLY BELIEVE HER FISHERMAN AND HUNTERS KEPT HER LIVING LONGER. SHE LOVED THEIR ENERGY AND STORIES THAT THEY SHARED WITH HER. SHE HAD MANY LOYAL AND LOVING CUSTOMERS WHO STOPPED BY TO DROP OFF THE CATCH OF THE DAY OR DEER MEAT IN THE WINTER. THE BAIT SHOP WAS A GENERATIONAL SHOP WHERE YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER BROUGHT YOU AND THEN YOU BROUGHT YOUR CHILDREN.

WE KEPT THE BAIT SHOP OPEN AS MANY HOURS AS POSSIBLE WITH ME WORKING THE EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS DURING PRIME TROUT AND BASS SEASON TO PRICE, HANG STOCK, AND PACK BAIT TILL SHE WOKE AT 5AM AND TOOK OVER SO I COULD GO HOME AND SLEEP. SHE CLOSED THE BAIT SHOP DOORS WHEN SHE WAS 69. GUYS CONTINUED TO BANG ON THE FRONT DOOR TO WAKE HER FOR BAIT SO THEY COULD GET OUT ON THE RIVER!! MANY WERE NOT HAPPY THAT SHE RETIRED.

TAKING HER FREE SPIRIT ON THE ROAD WITH HER, SHE LOVED TO TRAVEL WHEN SHE WAS HEALTHIER, WHETHER IT BE ALONE, WITH AL, OR WITH ME. WHEREVER WE TRAVELED, SHE’D HAVE THE STAFF WRAPPED AROUND HER FINGER AT EVERY RESTAURANT OR RESORT WE STAYED. SHE LOVED HER SNACKS, BUT BELIEVED A PLATE OF SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS CURED EVERYTHING! UNFORTUNATELY, SHE LOVED HER COFFEE AND CIGARETTES FOR FAR TOO LONG. BUT, WE ARE NOT HERE TO DISCUSS NEGATIVITY BECAUSE SHE SURELY WASN’T A NEGATIVE PERSON. WITH ALL HER HEALTH ISSUES THRU THE YEARS, SHE HELD HER HEAD HIGH, STAYED STRONG, AND FOUGHT HER WAY THRU EVERY HOSPITAL STAY. SHE MUST HAVE USED UP HER 2ND SET OF CAT LIVES! I WAS SO VERY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN WITH HER IN THE END AND SHE PASSED PEACEFULLY LISTENING TO JOHNNY CASH’S “WALK THE LINE” – WALKING THE LINE TOWARDS AL, JEHOVAH, AND GOD.