Barbara McSorley-Smith, 85, died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House after a long illness.
Born Oct. 17, 1937, in New London, she was the daughter of Violet Laverne Tripp and William Arch Brown. Her first marriage to Charles McSorley ended in divorce. On Feb. 14, 1999, she married Mervin Smith.
She worked for the Area Agency on Aging for 16 years, then for McGladrey & Pullen Accounting for 23 years before retiring in 2000.
Hunting for geodes with her father, photography, cross-stitch needlework, watching the Denver Broncos, and all the University of Iowa sports events were her passions. She enjoyed traveling and winters in Palmetto, Fla. with her husband Merv. Her life was distinguished by her closeness to her family, church, and lifelong friends. She was always a loving and supportive mother to her sons.
Survivors include her son Rick (Lynn Sures) McSorley of Silver Spring, Maryland; grandson Jesse McSorley of Bethesda, Md.; and great-granddaughter Niko Ainsfield of Silver Spring, Md.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Merv Smith, son David McSorley; and her three brothers Clifford, Ray, and Jack Brown.
The service for Barbara will be 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, at Community of Christ Church in Burlington with a dinner following.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the Community of Christ or to the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.