Barbara L. Albanese, 90, of Lutz, FL passed away September 30, 2017 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born in Waukegan, IL September 27, 1927 to the late John Alois Kerber and Elenore Edholm. She is predeceased by her beloved husband , Anthony E. Albanese; and brothers, John A. Kerber, Jr. (Shirley), Kenneth L. Kerber (Providence), and Robert Sandsmark. Mrs. Albanese is survived by her three daughters and best friends, Connie Marraro (Christopher) of Germantown, MD, Lenore O’Connor (Joseph) of Tampa, FL, and Barbara Hopper (Walter) of New Ringgold, PA; her brother-in-law, Leonard Albanese of Closter, NJ; and seven grandchildren, Christopher, Marraro of Fairfax, VA, Liana Schaffner (Glenn) of Duxbury, MA, Tara Daly (Brian) of Land O’ Lakes, FL, Celia Marraro (fiancé, Anni Turkel) of New York , NY, Lindsay Courtney (Kevin) of Lutz, FL, Erica Hopper (fiancé, Bruce Eberhart) of Fairfax, VA, and Elise Sorbo (Kristian) of Portland, OR. Mrs. Albanese was a proud and devoted great-grandmother to Anthony, Avalyn, Madison, Liam, Jamie, and Jaxson. Together with her husband, Barbara created the type of home that her daughters and grandchildren flocked to every summer, in unison. She was a calm and reassuring presence during those happy, noisy days, keeping order in the home and vigil on the porch until the last person was safely out of the pool, off of the tree swing, or in from a late evening stroll. Her grandchildren recall summers under her roof as the most magical of their childhood. Barbara marked every birthday, holiday, and anniversary with a hand-written card that arrived like clockwork. Her family finds comfort knowing that she has been reunited with her husband, the love of her life. Her family will always cherish the memory of her waving and throwing kisses until her loved ones were out of sight. But her beautiful smile, generous spirit, joyful laugh, and abiding presence will forever be missed and forever felt.
A Memorial Mass for Barbara and Anthony will be celebrated Saturday, March 24 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.
Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com
R. I. P. Aunt Barbara !