Barbara Lee (Smith) Jurges

Barbara Lee Jurges, 89, of Murrysville, formerly of Monroeville, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026, at UPMC East Hospital, surrounded by family. Born in Pittsburgh on February 12, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Irene Helen (Brzezicki) Smith.

Barbara’s roots were deep in the "Brzezicki enclave" of Locust Street in Turtle Creek, where she grew up surrounded by a close-knit family, including her grandmother Hedwig Brzezicki Gorzynski, her adored cousins Joanne Trovato-Brown, Jan Allen and Michael Trovato, and her beloved aunt, Millie Trovato, who was like a big sister to her.

A proud graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in accounting, Barbara possessed a brilliant mind and a sharp wit that remained vibrant through her final days.  As a young woman, her professional career was soon traded for the busy life of a mother--raising five daughters, the first four of whom arrived in just four years!  Barbara spent over 50 years in Monroeville, where she raised her girls as a single mother, following the passing of her husband Burke W. Jurges in 1975. Her life’s greatest work was her family and she loved watching the lives her children and grandchildren built. She was especially proud that all of her grandchildren attended college and loved to point out that "the apple didn't fall far from the tree" when two of her granddaughters became accountants.

An avid reader and lifelong learner, Barbara also found deep joy in the creative arts. She was a gifted crafter who loved working with her hands to create beautiful things for those she loved—whether through the intricate detail of embroidery, cross-stitching, or her famous sequined sweatshirts, or her delicious handmade chocolates. She also found joy in gardening and bird watching. She was a passionate Steelers fan, attending many games both home and away, cheering them on with Gerry (Doyle) Markle, her best friend since first grade.

In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Kristin Vega, and her sister-in-law, Beverly Smith.

She is survived by her daughters: Lisa (Ron) O’Toole, Susan Jurges (Tom Herrity), Jacqueline (Dave) Spurlock, and Nicole (Bob) Priester; nine grandchildren: Emily (Tim) Wadsworth, Jessica (Stephen) Ferrari, Alexandra Vega, Burke (Hannah) O’Toole, Mikayla (Trey) Byars, Molly O’Toole, Kaylin Vega, David (Grace) Spurlock, and Max Priester; and two great-grandchildren, Virginia Campbell Byars and Oliver Wadsworth. She is also survived by her brothers, Richard Smith (Beverly) and Frank Smith (Dorothy), her lifelong best friend and "chosen sister" of 84 years, Gerry Doyle Markle; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be private. For those wishing to leave online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.

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