For those curious about the life of Barbara Smits, you might be interested to know she was, in a way, connected to some well-known entertainment figures. Her time with us, as it happens, included a period married to a recognizable actor. This article tries to gather what we know about her, giving you, you know, a sense of her personal story.
Barbara Smits, an American woman, lived a life that, you know, touched upon the public eye through her marriage. She was, you see, once the wife of Jimmy Smits, an actor many people recognize from various television shows and films. We'll explore some of the facts surrounding her life, her family connections, and, too, some details about her passing.
It's pretty common for people to wonder about those who, you know, were part of the lives of public figures. Barbara Smits, while not a public figure herself in the same way, certainly had a story worth looking into. We'll try to put together what information is available about her, just to give you a clearer picture.
Table of Contents
- Who Was Barbara Smits?
- Personal Details About Barbara Smits
- What Was Barbara Smits's Role in Her Family Life?
- When Did Barbara Smits Pass Away?
- The Meaning Behind the Name Barbara
- Why is the Name Barbara Significant?
- Remembering Barbara Smits
- Further Thoughts on Barbara Smits
Who Was Barbara Smits?
Barbara Smits was an American woman whose life, you know, became linked to the world of acting through her marriage. She was, as a matter of fact, married to Jimmy Smits, an actor who has had quite a career in Hollywood. Their relationship began, it seems, in 1980 when they decided to tie the knot. This period of her life, you know, put her in a unique position, connected to someone who was, and still is, a familiar face to many television watchers and moviegoers.
During her life, Barbara Smits also held a job as an assistant. This gives us, you know, a small glimpse into her daily routine and her contributions outside of her personal connections. She was, you know, a person with her own work and responsibilities, just like many others. Her marriage to Jimmy Smits, however, did come to an end. They went their separate ways in 1987, after, you know, about seven years of being together. Court documents, as I was saying, were filed at the time, indicating that they simply couldn't find common ground anymore, citing irreconcilable differences. This is, you know, a fairly common reason for couples to part ways, even those connected to public life.
The information available about Barbara Smits, you know, paints a picture of a person who lived a life that, in some respects, was both private and, at times, touched by public attention. Her association with Jimmy Smits is, of course, a significant detail that many people remember. But she was, too, a person with her own experiences, her own work, and her own family connections, which we'll get into a little more.
Personal Details About Barbara Smits
To give you a better sense of Barbara Smits, here are some personal details gathered from the available information. These points, you know, offer a quick look at some key moments and facts about her life.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Jimmy Smits (married 1980, divorced 1987) |
| Occupation | Assistant |
| Children | Two children |
| Reported Death Date (1) | April 16, 2010 |
| Reported Age at Death (1) | 54 or 50 years old (conflicting reports) |
| Cause of Death (1) | Pneumonia complications |
| Reported Death Date (2) | January 30, 2022 (age 79) |
| Funeral Home Mentioned | Gerard J Neufeld Inc Funeral Home in Elmhurst, NY (for 2022 announcement) |
It's worth noting, you know, that there are a couple of different dates and ages reported for Barbara Smits's passing. The most frequent mentions point to her death in 2010, around the age of 50 or 54, due to pneumonia. However, there was also a public announcement in 2022, mentioning a passing at the age of 79. This, you know, might be a later memorial or perhaps a different person with the same name, but it's part of the information available.
What Was Barbara Smits's Role in Her Family Life?
Barbara Smits, as we've learned, was a wife and, too, a mother. She and Jimmy Smits had two children together. This is, you know, a very important part of her personal story, showing her role within her family. Having children, you know, means a lot to many people, and it certainly shaped a significant part of her life. She was, in a way, dedicated to her family, raising her two children.
Even after her divorce from Jimmy Smits, her connection to her children would have, you know, remained a central part of her existence. Family ties, as a matter of fact, often last beyond marital unions. The details about her children are not widely shared, keeping their lives, you know, relatively private. This is, you know, quite common for families not directly in the public eye. The focus here is on Barbara Smits herself and her journey.
The divorce from Jimmy Smits in 1987, you know, marked a change in her family structure. However, her role as a mother to her two children would have continued. It's fair to say that her family, including her children, would have been a very central part of her world. This gives us, you know, a more complete picture of who Barbara Smits was beyond just her public association.
When Did Barbara Smits Pass Away?
The information about Barbara Smits's passing, you know, has a couple of different dates mentioned in the records. Most frequently, it's reported that she passed away on April 16, 2010. At that time, she was, you know, around 54 years old, though one quick fact mentioned her being fifty. Her passing in 2010 was attributed to, you know, issues related to pneumonia. This is, you know, a very specific detail about the end of her life.
It's also mentioned that she left behind her two children when she passed on that date in 2010. This, you know, highlights the impact of her absence on her immediate family. There are, you know, online memorials where people can share memories and celebrate her life, which is a nice way for folks to remember someone. This kind of platform, you know, allows for a collective remembrance.
However, there is another piece of information, you know, that indicates a public announcement of Barbara Smits's passing at the age of 79 on Sunday, January 30, 2022. This announcement, you know, came from a funeral home in Elmhurst, NY. It's a bit of a puzzle, you know, with these different dates, but both pieces of information are part of the record we have. It's just something to consider when looking at the facts about Barbara Smits.
The Meaning Behind the Name Barbara
While we're talking about Barbara Smits, it's kind of interesting, you know, to think about the name "Barbara" itself. It's a name that has, you know, a long history and a pretty cool meaning. The name Barbara is used in lots of different languages, and it actually comes from a Greek word. That Greek word is "barbaros," and it means, you know, something like "stranger" or "foreign."
Originally, you know, the term "barbaros" was used for anyone who didn't speak Greek. So, if you weren't a Greek speaker, you were, you know, considered a "barbaros." Over time, this word, you know, made its way into Latin, and from there, it spread into languages like Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and, of course, English. It's pretty neat, you know, how names travel and change over the years.
The name Barbara also has a connection to a popular saint. According to old stories, you know, Saint Barbara was a young woman who was, sadly, killed by her father. This legend, you know, made the name quite popular in medieval Britain, especially after the third century. So, when we talk about Barbara Smits, it's good to remember that her name, you know, carries a lot of historical weight and meaning, too.
Why is the Name Barbara Significant?
The name Barbara, you know, is often thought of as representing certain qualities. In many different cultures, it's linked with ideas like strength, a graceful way of moving, and, you know, being your own person. It's a name that has, you know, a lasting appeal, and it continues to be a meaningful pick for parents all around the globe. This is, you know, because of its long history and the positive feelings it brings up.
If someone is looking for a classic name that has, you know, a lot of background and stories tied to it, Barbara could be a very good option. It's not just a sound, you know, but a name with a lot of depth. The fact that it's been around for so long and has so many associations, you know, really makes it stand out. It's a name that, you know, has stood the test of time, which is pretty cool.
So, when we consider Barbara Smits, her name itself, you know, has a rich story. It's a name that means "foreign woman" from its Latin roots, and it’s ranked, you know, as the 860th most popular female name. This little bit of information, you know, about the name's background just adds another layer to thinking about Barbara Smits and her place in things.
Remembering Barbara Smits
Barbara Smits's life, you know, was one that, in some ways, was lived out of the direct spotlight, yet she was connected to a very public figure. Her time as an assistant, her marriage, and her role as a mother to two children all form parts of her story. Her passing, as we've discussed, is reported with a couple of different dates, but the most common account points to 2010 due to pneumonia issues. This is, you know, the main information we have about her final moments.
For those who knew her, or for those who are simply curious about the lives connected to public figures, Barbara Smits represents, you know, a personal story that deserves a bit of attention. Her life, you know, while not extensively detailed in public records, certainly had its own experiences and relationships that shaped who she was. It's just a way to acknowledge her existence and her connections.
The online memorials, too, provide a space for people to, you know, share their feelings and memories. This is, you know, a common way for communities and families to come together and remember someone who has passed on. It's a way to keep their spirit alive, you know, in the thoughts of others.
Further Thoughts on Barbara Smits
It's interesting to consider, you know, how much of a person's life becomes known to the wider world, especially when they are connected to someone famous. Barbara Smits, you know, is a good example of this. We have certain facts about her marriage, her work, and her family, but much of her daily life, you know, remains private. This is, you know, often the case for people who choose to live away from the constant public gaze.
Her former husband, Jimmy Smits, as you might know, has had a very successful acting career, appearing in shows like L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, and The West Wing, and even, you know, some Star Wars projects. These roles, you know, made him a household name for many. Barbara Smits's connection to him, therefore, is often how people come to hear about her. It's just a natural consequence of that association.
Ultimately, the story of Barbara Smits, you know, is a reminder that behind every public figure, there are often many individuals who played important roles in their lives. She was, you know, one such person, contributing to a family and living her own life, even if many of the specifics remain, you know, out of public view. It’s a quiet story, in a way, but one that still holds a place.
