Barbara M. Siciliano

"The Masterpiece has been completed"

Barbara M. Siciliano (Nani) went to heaven on July 12, 2018.  She fought a valiant battle with heart failure and is now in the arms of the Lord, and dancing with her love. 

Born in Salt Lake City, May 31, 1931 to Josephine  and Anthony Oliver. She married her one and only earthly love, Joe V. Siciliano Jr. on August 1, 1950.  She attended St. Mary's of the Wasatch and Stevens-Henager Business College

Barbara met the love of her life in a unique style, as a baby, when Joe Jr. was introduced to her as a toddler.  Upon seeing her in the bassinette, his dad remarked, "you are looking at your future wife".  These words became true 19 years later and their love story began.

As in all marriages, life was difficult at times, but with God in the center of everything they did,  they pushed through and were never more in love than on the day she had to say goodbye to Joe in 2014.

Many last thoughts regarding a person are based on a wide list of accomplishments or titles, but with mom, her greatest accomplishment was as a mother.  Not only was she a devoted mother to her own five daughters, but was mother in kind, to many of her daughters friends.  Mom had the gift of loving the unlovely and those who struggled in their own families.  She was faithful to the core of her being and a confidante in which many felt safe to share their hurts and thoughts.  She carried music, art, family and friends in her soul.   She was a woman of many talents.  She never squandered her time, but used it to bless others.  In her early years she was an accomplished pianist.  Joe and Barbara loved to entertain their friends, singing together as she played.  She was deeply devoted to God, to the point that she even considered becoming a nun in her younger years, but her father told her "no".  Aren't we grateful for that? And yet, her children and God's people became her lifelong ministry.  She belonged to "BSF" for 5 years and faithfully served the ministry of Aglow Int'l for over 20 years.  She had a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus as her Savior and gently shared the truths of the bible with countless people.

She was a gifted writer and left several journals for her family to enjoy .  She was a, talented artist in many genres of art, including watercolors, oils, glassware and hand painted clothing.  She and her best friend and sister, Madalene, had weekly painting dates and shared precious time together while laughing, and creating beauty.  She had her own business, "The Masters Touch" and sold her art at family boutiques.  Her paintings have become her legacy and each one serves as a mirror into the soul of a person who saw the world in colors and shades that would translate into priceless treasures to the receiver.  

A widow for 4 years, she stood fast to the challenge of keeping busy and loving her children while  waiting to be reunited with her prince charming.  We are mourning her loss as a family and friends, but rejoicing that her suffering is over and that Heaven has gained a woman of such caliber. 

"Joya Bella, the birds are singing, the sun is shining and it's a beautiful day."

She is preceeded in death by her brother, Paul Oliver, husband Joe. V. Siciliano Jr, daughter, Paula Siciliano, and granddaughter, Tiffany McMurtrey.  She is survived by her 4 daughters, Toni (Steve) McMurtrey, Anna (Gus) Siciliano, Jody Siciliano, Michelle (Ken) Imber, and 6 grand children and 3 great grandchildren. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in her memory on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 Creek Road, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Friends and family may call one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Special thanks for the loving providers at Silverado Rehab, the angles of Intermountain Home and Hospice.