GILBERTSVILLE – Barbara Meta (Buschmann) Smalley, 89, formerly of Gilbertsville, peacefully passed away on March 24, 2011 at the Otsego Manor in Phoenix Mills.
Barbara, born on April 5, 1921, in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, was the daughter of John and Ida (Schlegel) Buschmann. She was raised and graduated from High School in West New York, N.J. She married Bert R. Smalley from Tennessee on Dec. 25, 1943 in West New York, N.J. after corresponding with him as a pen-pal during World War II. Barbara worked as a typist in New York City during World War II. After many moves with their four children, Barbara and her husband settled outside Gilbertsville in the mid 1950s. She was employed at the Eaton Labs, a branch of the Norwich Pharmaceutical Company (later known as Proctor & Gamble Co.) until her retirement.
Her main focus in life was her family and friends. She loved to knit, crochet, watch television, and do puzzles, and loved playing cards & bingo. She enjoyed walking throughout the village while living in Gilbertsville. Barbara was a member of the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Butternut Valley Grange, all of Gilbertsville. She also spent many hours volunteering at the Gilbertsville Free Library. She spent her last two years at the Otsego Manor Nursing home located in Phoenix Mills, outside Cooperstown.
Barbara is survived by three daughters, Barbara (Ken) Nolan of Gilbertsville; Nancy (Tom) Stearns of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Linda (Bucky) Blanchard of Sherburne and one son, Bert (Eileen) Smalley of Gilbertsville. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bert, in 1965 and her sister, Charlotte Capelli, of West New York, N.J.
It was Barbara’s wish that there will be no calling hours. Graveside services in the Brookside Cemetery, Gilbertsville, will be held at a later date and time to be announced.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff in Serenity Place at the Otsego Manor and to Hospice for the wonderful compassionate care that they provided while Barbara was in their care. Please consider memorial donations to the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 542 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich.