Celebrating the Life of Barbara Smith

Barbara was born on April 30th 1930, in Lee, Massachusetts. She is preceded in death by her parents Gino and Marie Bondi Rosa, sister, Joan Arlene Bona, son, Peter Colbert, Edward W Colbert and Raymond Smith.

Barbara's family moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts where she attended Dawes Elementary school and graduated from Pittsfield High School. Barbara was a communicant at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and later St. Charles Catholic Church in Pittsfield. Barbara married Edward W. Colbert in the early fifties and she became a homemaker and mother to their four children. She later took over her father's restaurant, the Rosa Restaurant on North Street after he passed away in the mid-sixties. After the restaurant was sold she worked in accounts payable at General Electric for many years. Barbara a natural in the restaurant business later worked as a hostess at the downtown Hilton Hotel restaurant.

Upon retiring Barbara spent 18 years traveling with her companion, James Coughlin, between Pittsfield and Bonita Springs, Florida where they enjoyed the beaches and sunshine during the harsh New England winters. She spent the last two years of her life in Kingwood, Texas near her daughter, granddaughters and great- grandson.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially gathering everyone at her home whenever an occasion arose, especially the holidays. She loved to entertain. In her later years going out to lunch with friends was a favorite pastime. She was an avid reader, and had many Barbara Taylor Bradford books in her possession among other favorites. She enjoyed big band music, Sinatra, Elvis and other performers as the years past. Gardening was perhaps her most favorite hobby and she spent hours tending to her many flower gardens. Barbara so enjoyed keeping up her yard and well into her eighties could be seen riding her tractor lawn mower in her spacious backyard.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Cathy Colbert Shepeard of Kingwood, Texas, her son William Colbert of Pittsfield, MA and son Timothy Colbert of Coral Gables, Florida. She also leaves four granddaughters, Karen Colbert, Erin and Christen Shepeard, Lacey Parker and a great grandson, Casen Daniels. Her special neighbor "grandchildren", Parker and Anelia gave her much joy also.

Funeral services will be held at St. Martha Catholic Church in the Holy Family Chapel, on a February 24, 2025. A burial will be with her parents at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Pittsfield, MA

In lieu of flowers; please make a donation in Barbara's memory to a charity of your choice.