Barbara Semmel
Feb. 19, 1941-Jan. 29, 2020
Barbara Semmel (nee Levendusky), 78, of Upper Montclair, N.J., passed away gently at home on Jan. 29, 2020, after a brave fight with cancer.
Born in Palmerton, Pa., Mrs. Semmel was a longtime resident of Montclair, N.J., and a highly respected physical therapist in private practice for over 35 years at the Semmel Center for Physical Therapy. She earned her B.S. degree at the University of Kansas in 1963 and went on to obtain her M.S. in exercise physiology at Montclair State University in 1996.
As an avid learner who always sought to hone her professional skills, she also became a certified lecturer for Rocobado Institute, where top-level specialists in musculoskeletal rehabilitation are trained with advanced scientific knowledge in the evaluation and treatment of dysfunctions.
Barbara had a passion for life, learning new things, and helping others, from constantly studying Italian and learning to play the mandolin, to attempting new recipes on the holidays and becoming a wheelchair coordinator for the International Special Olympics. Most of all, her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Anne Semmel-Barilari, Barbara Semmel, and Beth Larkin (Rob), and beautiful grandchildren, Conor and Matthew Larkin. A special mention to her lifelong partner, Timothy Sullivan, who predeceased her; his children, Virginia Moriarty (Rich), Timothy Sullivan (Jackie), and Kelly Grady (Jim), along with their respective children, Maggie, Paige, Chase and Campbell Moriarty, Shane and Grace Sullivan, and Tyler, Collen and Madison Grady. Mrs. Semmel also leaves behind countless nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Angeline (Cinamella) Levendusky; brother, Dr. Edmund Levendusky, DDS, and grandson, Scott Barilari.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, 76 Park St., Montclair, N.J., 07042. Memorial and funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, followed immediately by interment at Crest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 750 Passaic Ave., Clifton, N.J., 07012.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heat it to Beat It (www.heat-it.org), an organization led by Dr. Armando Sardi, MD, of The Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Md., that supports the continued fight against and research for abdominal cancers.
For directions and online condolences, please visit www.moriartyfh.com