Virginia Smith

Virginia (Mauro) Smith, RN, formerly of Hazleton, passed away early Monday morning at Providence Place, Drums, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

Virginia was born to parents Palmira (Valiante) and Anthony Mauro in Italy. She came to America as a baby, thus giving her dual citizenship in Italy and the U.S.

Virginia graduated from Hazleton High School and Hazleton General Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation, she pursued a postgraduate degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, where she was employed for several years. She went on to do staff and private duty at both St. Joseph's Hospital and Hazleton General Hospital. After marrying, she relocated to Allentown, where she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cedar Crest Nursing Home and at Nutri-System Weight Loss as both counselor and overseer of the maintenance program.

Virginia was a member of the Allentown Senior Center, where she participated in exercise, computer and spirituality programs.

Virginia loved trips to New York City, Longwood Gardens and the beach with her sisters. She loved to read and spent many hours at the local library. Her passion was gardening. She adored her beautiful rose bushes. Her favorite gifts were colorful, unique flowers and chocolates, especially chocolate covered strawberries. Every shopping trip included visits to garden centers and candy shops!

She is survived by her loving daughter, Nina Horrocks and her husband Charles, Winter Garden, Fla.; and her devastated sisters, Joan Swedar and husband, George, Hazleton; Sylvia Mauro, Macungie; and Esther Mauro, Hazle Twp. Also surviving are her two nephews, Frank, McAdoo; and Anthony, Bethlehem.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James Smith, to whom she was married for 62 years prior to his death in December 2020.

Virginia was dearly loved by her family and many friends. She will be sorely missed by all.

Many thanks go out to the staff of Connections at Providence Place for their care, kindness and patience.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in Queen of Heaven Parish at Our Lady of Grace Church, Hazleton.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

The family will receive friends in Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Association or a public library.

Condolences may be sent through www.moranfuneral

home.com.