WESTFIELD – Barbara Jean Simmitt, 84, of Westfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 12th surrounded by the love of her family.
Born and raised in Russell, Massachusetts, she was the cherished daughter of the late John and Jessie Zielinski. She was also the sister to Mary Ann Pratt and the late James Zielinski.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Francis J. Simmitt; and her four children, Cheryl Parody and her husband Michael Parody, John Simmitt and his wife Basia Simmitt, Teresa Mason and her husband Paul Mason, and Scott Simmitt and his wife Rosemary Simmitt. Barbara also deeply cherished her grandchildren: Lauren Knight, Tyler Simmitt, Ethan Atkocaitis, Benjamin Parody, Madison Atkocaitis, Ryan Simmitt, and Ashleigh Simmitt. She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, the late Brandon Simmitt. She also leaves behind many beloved step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Barbara chose a life of caring for others and was a proud graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. A woman of deep and enduring faith, she was a devoted Catholic and a highly active member of the Rosary Sodality, where she found great community and purpose.
Barbara spent her life creating a warm, pristine, and welcoming home, where keeping things meticulously clean was always her priority. She absolutely loved the holidays and found immense joy in filling her home with beautiful decorations to celebrate each season with those she cared about. Her favorite days were spent tending to her flower garden, baking delicious pies for her family, and quietly challenging herself with the daily Jumble puzzle.
Wonderfully funny and silly, she brought endless laughs to every family gathering and always knew how to brighten a room. Above all, she was a devoted and loving wife and mother whose greatest joy and proudest achievement in life was her family. An avid and passionate sports fan, she could always be found cheering loudly for her beloved Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox. Her legacy of laughter, warmth, compassion, and New England team spirit will live on through her family forever.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on October 20th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Parish in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Barbara’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Children’s. Firtionadams.com
