Vincenza "Jeana" M. (Parisio) Smitka

Vincenza “Jeana” Parisio Smitka, 87, of Hope Mills passed away on Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

Vincenza was born on March 6, 1934, in Cook County, Illinois to the late Vincent Parisio and Milchora Marrocco Parisio. After losing her mother in her early adulthood, Vincenza became the mother figure in her family and helped provide, cook and care for her siblings and father until his passing in 1957.

Vincenza was married to Ernst Franz Smitka in June of 1957. He was the love of her life, her best friend and husband for 63 years. She was heartbroken when he passed away in September of 2020. As an Army wife, she made a home for her family all over the United States and Germany. While in Germany she learned how to cook traditional German meals from her mother-in-law so she could feed her husband meals he grew up eating. She raised 3 wonderful children and maintained the household while her husband was away throughout his career. She loved her home and kitchen and enjoyed sharing her wonderful home cooked meals and deserts with her loved ones.

She was a very loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed crocheting and making crafts and often gave them to family, friends and people special to her heart.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Jernigan-Warren Chapel. Burial will follow at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10-11 Tuesday at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, Ernst F. Smitka, her brother Gitano Parisio and daughter-in-law Ann Smitka.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon S. McLaurin and husband, Glenwood; sons, Ernst Vincent Smitka and wife Lori; Frank Anthony Smitka; sisters, Minnie Evans, and Antonette Pasarelli; 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Online condolences may be made to www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301

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