Barbara (Guzauskas) Hamsmith

Barbara (Guzauskas) Hamsmith, 62, of Aurora, IL, died Friday, August 31, 2012, surrounded by her family, after a 2-year battle with a rare form of salivary gland cancer. She was born February 24, 1950 in Aurora to Frank Sr. and Norma (Musso) Guzauskas. Barb felt the best part of life was being a loving wife and mother. She adored her husband; they were best friends since they first met in 1968. Their special times together included breakfast on Sundays after early Mass, antiquing trips, and just spending quality time together. They also bowled together throughout their entire married life, enjoying many spirited competitions. They will be forever united in heart and soul. Barb was most proud of her children. She thoroughly enjoyed being home with them, and all of their friends, when they were young. As they became adults she reveled in their accomplishments and their excellence at school. When her son married, Barb welcomed another wonderful daughter into her family. Barb also enjoyed baking and gardening, and her family and friends looked forward to her annual Fourth of July parties. Barb managed to visit her favorite vacation spot, Walt Disney World, twelve times during her lifetime (and just recently she made it to Disneyland), and the various people she traveled with made each one a new and exciting adventure. She also treasured her First Friday group, girlfriends who met once a month for conversation and good food. Over the years Barb worked as a secretary, a computer programmer, a material handling sales specialist, and a bookkeeper. She enjoyed working side by side with her husband for many years in his accounting practice. Barb was very proud of finally graduating from North Central College in 2009 with a B.A. in Accounting, after going back to college part-time for 11 years. She was a church organist for more than forty years, first at St. Peter’s Church in Aurora and then at Holy Angels Church. She also served as an Extraordinary Minister at Holy Angels. Survivors include her beloved husband of 40 years, Jerry; her wonderful children, Matthew (Lisa) with granddaughter Cecilia of Oswego and Rachel of Aurora; her sisters, Karen (William) Oleckno of DeKalb and Jeannie (Daniel) Currie of Aurora;her brother, Frank (Elizabeth) Guzauskas of Aurora; along with many special nieces, nephews and grandnephews; and her best friends Patrick and Mary Dougherty of Aurora. Barb was preceded in death by her parents. Barb’s family would like to thank the doctors who took such excellent care of her in her last few years: Dr. Mark Agulnik, her oncologist at Northwestern; Dr. Par Mehta, her radiation oncologist at River West; Dr. Steven Sapyta, her internist at Dreyer Clinic; and Vitas hospice. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 5, 2012 from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY at 10:00 AM to Holy Angels Church at 10:30 AM. Fr. Michael Burrows, O.S.B. will officiate with interment in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 4, 2012 from 2:00PM – 8:00 PM, with a Liturgical Wake Service at 7:00 PM, at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 North Lake Street, Aurora, IL 60506. 630-631-5500. Please visit our new interactive website at www.daleidenmortuary.com to leave condolences for Barb’s family or sign the guest book. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barb’s name may be made to the Rosary High School Alumnae Association.

Barbara (Guzauskas) Hamsmith

February 24, 1950 - August 31, 2012