Barbara Cirone

June 26, 1935 - Oct. 24, 2024

On October 24, 2024, Barbara Ann Cirone shed her mortal frame, freeing her soul to return Home before the long dark of winter dulled the beauty of the gardens and forests she loved. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 26, 1935, Barbara lived and worked in the New York area most of her early life before making her way west where she married Roderick Wayne Cirone and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her favorite scripture, which she leaned on frequently throughout her life, is “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV). Part of her eternal nature, she glows with a warm fire and quiet peace that draws others to her. Her smile lights up a room (and now the heavens), making others feel instantly at home and loved. She spent her life in service to those around her, finding joy and growth in ministering to her family, coworkers, and church sisters, serving as a temple worker in the Ogden, UT and Reno, NV temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving a full two-year mission to the people of West Virginia, and reaching out to others even during the most difficult years as her eternal companion battled lung cancer. She craved the simple, quiet joys of life: reading, writing letters, lifting her face to the sunshine, watching storms race across the valleys or laughing at the hummingbirds and squirrels as they danced outside her window. Most of all, she was a true champion, cheerleader, and friend willing to listen as others shared their burdens, questions, and joys with her. She is survived by her daughters Rita Soto and Antoinette (Don) Martin, her sisters Rosemary Zuk and Kathryn (Joe) Burger, and truly cherished friends, old and new, throughout the country. In lieu of flowers, plants, or donations, we ask that you do more of what Barbara did every single day until she could no longer: SMILE, love and care for the creatures of the earth, consciously and deliberately make time to be present for who and what you love, find quiet moments to reconnect with yourself and your faith, create beauty, plant petunias (lots of them), reach out to friends and family and tell them you love them, serve those around you in big and little ways, and attend the temple or your congregation more often. Never lose sight of who you are. You matter and the world needs you, just as you are. We wish to express our gratitude to Hellen for keeping a faithful watch through long nights and to ministering angels and true friends who lifted Barbara and her family as she battled metastatic breast cancer. We wish to also thank the nurses, MAs, and CNAs of Vista Oncology, Providence St. Peters Hospital, and Providence Hospice for their professionalism and care. A special thank you to Erica, Carrie, Nikki, and Jonah, Stacy, Amy, Caitlyn, Maddie, Ruth, Escol, and Jules for their kindness, stoicism in the face of Mom’s snarky quips, and, most of all, having the courage to care in some of life’s most difficult moments. There may never be a “better” day, so make the most of your Now.