Barbara Marie Smischny, 90, of Salina, Kansas passed peacefully with family present on September 17, 2022 after a brief illness. Barbara was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 21, 1932 to Victor and Mary (Guarino) Passiglia. She attended North High School, Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Park College, Parkville, Missouri in 1952 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

After graduation, Barbara moved to Ellsworth, Kansas and taught at Ellsworth Junior High School. She met the love of her life, Donald Smischny, in 1954 at choir practice at the Ellsworth Presbyterian Church when he returned to his hometown of Ellsworth after serving overseas in the Navy during the Korean War. They were married in Kansas City, Missouri on May 29, 1955 and together they had four children: Randy Smischny – Manhattan, Kansas; Cheryl Klink (Doug) – Estes Park, Colorado; Melinda Hutton (Tracy) – North Newton, Kansas; and Janis Smischny – Salina, Kansas.

Barbara raised her four children in Ellsworth, and returned to teaching when her youngest daughter started elementary school. She was a Title IX teacher in the Ellsworth School District for 19 years. She was very active in the Ellsworth Presbyterian Church, and she and Don enjoyed square dancing with the Ellsworth Twirlers. She was an excellent bridge player, and played in several women’s and couples’ Bridge Clubs. Barbara was also a proud member of the American Association of University Women.

Barbara and Don moved to Salina, Kansas in 1996, where they enjoyed an active retirement. They have resided at Salina Presbyterian Manor since 2008. She was an active member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church, and enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, singing in the church choir, dancing, playing cards, reading voraciously, and cooking – especially her famous Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 67 years, Don Smischny, her four children, and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Victor Passiglia Jr.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 22, at 10:30 am, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, Salina, Kansas. A private inurnment will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina, Kansas at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the Friends of Ellsworth Public Library, or the Salina Public Library Fund through the Greater Salina Community Foundation.