Born in Manchester on December 6, 1938, she was the daughter of Wladyslaw S. “Walter” and Katherine M. “Kitty” (Kruczek) Swierz. Barbara spent most of her childhood in Manchester and attended local Catholic schools. She graduated from Saint Joseph High School for Girls in 1956.
As a child, one of Barbara’s favorite activities was visiting her grandfather Anthony Swierz and his fruit and vegetable farm on Front Street. Also when she was young, Barbara began using a phrase that would be become a conversational hallmark for the remainder of her life, especially when questioning an unbelievable happening or development – “Is that right?”
During her teenage years, Barbara developed a strong work ethic that would serve her well as an adult. As a high-schooler, she worked behind the candy counter at the Elm Street Woolworth’s and later at Freed’s Bakery. After high school, she went to work as an accounting clerk for the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company in Manchester.
She left N. E. T. &T. in 1960 to start a family, and stayed at home to raise her three sons in Manchester’s South End until 1973 when she re-entered the workforce as a part-time secretary and bookkeeper for Insurance One.
In 1974, Barbara took her clerical talents full-time to Dr. Henry Plodzik, D. D. S., and, three years later, got a job as one of two bookkeepers at the Wadleigh, Starr, Dunn, Peters, and Kohls (later Chiesa) law firm in Manchester. She became the “full-charge” bookkeeper at Wadleigh less than a year later, and was eventually promoted in 1981 to Office Manager, a position she would hold with distinction for three decades until her retirement in 2011. Wherever she worked, Barbara was revered for her friendliness, approachability, professionalism, common sense, and her ability to solve problems, large and small.
Away from work, Barbara liked to take vacations at Rye Beach, and later, at Marco Island in Florida. After her retirement, she developed a love of travel that brought her to various vacation destinations in New England and occasionally to New York City.
Barbara enjoyed many things in life, such as Van Otis chocolates, flowers, stuffed teddy bears, and Market Basket cakes. She loved some of the simpler pleasures as well, including lakeside views while travelling and watching the birds, especially cardinals, in her backyard.
She had several “go-to” restaurants that were her favorites, including the Puritan Backroom, Belmont Hall, Jeremy Nadeau’s, Cremeland (she loved the Texasburgers and hot dogs the best), and Panera Bread.
Barbara was a loving mother, grandmother, and aunt, and was proud to live life on her terms, staying in her home of 59 years until her recent illnesses.
She was a longtime communicant of both Saint Joseph Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Church.
Barbara was predeceased by her father in 1981, her mother in 1998, and her sister, Geraldine M. “Geri” O’Connor, in 2018.
Her family includes three sons, Gary Smith and his companion, Kathy Hynes, of Watertown, Mass.; Tom Smith and his wife, Colleen, of Manchester; and Greg Smith and his wife, Sylvie, of Goffstown; three grandchildren, Ashley Smith of Manchester; Kaitlin Smith and her fiancé, Ian Staples, of Chester, Vt.; and Nate Smith of Goffstown; a step-grandchild, Billy O’Connell of Morrisville, N. C.; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Styren and the staff in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Elliot Hospital, and also the staff at Community Hospice House for the excellent and compassionate care Barbara received in her final weeks.
SERVICES: Calling hours for Barbara will take place at McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover Street in Manchester, on Monday, June 14 from 4:00 - 7:00 P. M. Masks are not required for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Her funeral mass will take place at Saint Joseph Cathedral, 145 Lowell Street in Manchester, on Tuesday, June 15 at 11:00 A. M. Burial will be in the family lot in Saint Hedwig Cemetery in Bedford. Donations can be made in Barbara’s memory to Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Road, Merrimack, NH 03054
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