Barbara Ann Kusmierz (Smicz)

Barb passed away Friday, March 26, 2021 at McLaren Bay Region at the age of 79 years. She was born on Easter Sunday at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw on April 13, 1941 to the late Andy and Mary (Poineau) Smicz. She attended St. Rita's grade school and graduated from Holy Rosary High School in 1960. She met the love of her life, Edmund Kusmierz a few months later at a polka club in Saginaw. Even though our father was the Polish one, our mother had to teach him how to polka. They danced every weekend after they met. They married on September 15, 1962 at St. Stanislaus Church in Bay City by Re. Fr. Aloysius Lachi. Together they lived in Bay City until Ed passed away on June 29, 1997 after three bouts with cancer. Barb worked at Mercy Hospital and retired from Bay Regional Medical Center after 32 years as an aide and then a LPN. She loved her family and especially her wonderful grandchildren. She was quoted as saying "If I would have known how great grandchildren were, I would have had them first!"
Barb is survived by her daughters, Lynn (Dan) Fitzpatrick, Cheryl Kusmierz and Kimberly (J) DeOpsomer;  grandchildren, Holly Mae (Jack) Lipinski, Baby Lipinski due May 21, 2021 and Caroline Grace Fitzpatrick, Michael (Shauni) Holbrook, Thomas J. and John Edmund DeOpsomer; brother, Ron (JoAnn) Smicz and their four children; sister-in-law, Mary Kusmierz and several nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews and dear and loving friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her baby brother many many years ago.
Funeral Liturgy will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish - St. Stanislaus Church. The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Richard Filary with cremation to follow the Mass. Private inurnment will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Mrs. Kusmierz will be taken to the church to lie in state on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com