Barbara Clerico

Boca Raton, FL

Barbara Janina Clerico, 85, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2011 at her home in Boca Raton.

Barbara was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1926 and was a courageous survivor of the Nazi invasion in 1939. In that occupation of her home country she lost her parents and nearly all of her family members.

At the end of World War II she met Samuel Clerico, a U.S. Army Infantryman. They were married in Gerpingen, Germany in 1946. Shortly after their marriage, Barbara joined Sam in his hometown of Lancaster, PA

In 1951 they moved to Long Branch, NJ and then settled in West Long Branch. Barbara was one of the founding parishioners of St. Jerome RC Church in W. Long Branch. She was active in clubs, community organizations and a proud Cub Scout den mother. She and Sam made great friendships and memories in New Jersey.

They moved to Boca Raton in 1975 and began a new life in South Florida. Barbara was at her best when caring for young children or when watching over the winter homes of her many “snowbird” friends and acquaintances. She was tireless at being the ultimate care-giver and “gal Friday”.

She greatly appreciated the kindness and affection of the many families she met in the Boca Raton area. In return, Barbara was blessed with their enduring friendship.

Barbara was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church in Boca Raton. She greatly enjoyed the parish arts and crafts activities. Garage sales, flea markets, area festivals, were all favorites of hers. She and Sam had a long and happy love affair with Florida.

Barbara was pre-deceased by her husband Sam in 1998.She was pre-deceased by her brother Sigmund Levand and his wife Ella, of Oslo, Norway. She is survived by her two sons, Thomas Clerico and his wife, Connie of Manchester, NJ and by James Clerico and his wife, Katherine, of Tinton Falls, NJ. By her nieces, Helene Levand and Lisabeth Soberg and their families of Oslo, Norway, by her niece, Anita Malloy and her husband, John, of Pompano Beach, and many nephews and nieces in Florida and the Northeast.

A memorial mass and family gathering will be held in November in Lancaster, PA. Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Boca Raton, Florida in December followed by a gathering of relatives and friends.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to

Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Raton, FL 33486

Condolences may be posted at the Babione Funeral Home website : www.babionebocaraton.com