Smithfield- It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Emily Barbara Huntington. She was loved as a daughter, Mother, Sister, Aunt, and Cousin. As a grandmother and Great grandmother, she was known as Nana!

Most people actually knew her by her nickname “Joan”, rather than her given name Emily.

She died Peacefully at 92 years old on January 11, 2025. We all pray that she has met with her family, dogs and friends that all enjoyed her company and great food!

Mom was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in June of 1932. Her Catholic school background gave her the power to pray for everyone in need, especially family, and sometimes daily.

She had a great sense of humor when the time was right. She made friends everywhere she lived and kept up with many who moved away through letters in the mail! Some of her best friends spoke other languages and she was welcome at their homes for coffee, lunches and gossip as if she was one of their family. These include Norway, Poland, and Ireland. Her Italian descent taught her a few choice hand gestures that made us laugh but we all knew what they meant.

She married twice and became a widow twice. Her first husband, George Kyzer was the father of her children, all born in different States due to the military. Her second husband, Leslie Huntington, offered travel after her children had left the nest, which included Italy. She was best known for her baking, and for making crafts as she settled down in Virginia. She won several ribbons at the Pungo Strawberry festival in Virginia Beach, VA, and sold her knitting and sewing crafts at local farmer’s markets and fairs. It became a great hobby for her in her retirement years, along with her cooking at holidays being a great way to bring family together.

She is preceded by her late husband George Kyzer, and (Leslie Huntington), her parents John and Cora Pulcino and a sister Gloria Leone (Ferenc) and her family, Albert, Michael and Steven Leone.

She leaves behind 3 children, Susan Myers and her husband Bob, Robert Kyzer, and Barbara Janes and her husband Mike, 4 Grandchildren, Brian Myers and his wife Carla, Mathew Janes and his wife Ashley, Robin Bandrowski, and her husband Stefen; and Amanda Hamp and her husband Seth. Finally, she leaves behind 8 great grandchildren, Meghan, Jacob, Emily, Emma, Owen, Collin, Isaac and Isabelle who she loved dearly!

She led an adventurous life at a young age and kept up the pace longer than many will. She had a strong stubborn Gemini personality but was so very sweet, which was told to me by some of the new friends she made in the past few years.

She will be missed dearly when we think about picnics, Italian desserts and her love of dogs.

She will be buried next to her late husband Leslie Huntington at the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk Va. Date and time are not set at this time.

Simply Cremation assisted her family. Please share memories and online condolences at SimpyCremationOnline.com.