Barbara Byrnes Cincera, 80, of Emmaus, died Jan. 27, 2025, in Lehigh Valley Hospital of complications from her chemo treatment for breast cancer. She died peacefully with her husband and children by her side.

She was the wife of David L. Cincera, and together they spent 58 years of sharing, working together, playing, laughing, crying and celebrating their family’s many experiences and adventures. She always said she and Dave were a real team.

Born in Red Bank, N.J., she was the daughter of the late John and Lorraine (Geyer) Byrnes. She savored her role as stay-at-home mother, fighting fearlessly for her children. She was the builder of a thriving family, keeper of family finances and eventually balancer of all things while her husband traveled for business. Her energy, enthusiasm and humor set her apart as she raised her children with a boundless love that became her legacy.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Cedar Crest College and a master’s degree in social work from Marywood College in 1982. She started her work life working with dialysis patients and later transitioned to her own adolescent addiction counseling practice. She was passionate about helping others, empathetic in all her relationships and was an advocate and encouraging voice for the countless adolescents that she helped to heal.

In retirement, she loved knitting, reading, electronic games and watercolor painting. When COVID-19 hit and the world closed down, she reached outward, knitting beautiful baby blankets for Lehigh Valley Health Network’s pediatric NICU as a way to give of herself and stay connected to others in need. She relished her time spent with family and friends and nurtured a special connection with each of her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Brian D. and his wife, Tina; daughters, Jill E.C. Freret and her husband, Mike, Amy J.; grandchildren, Reilly, Brennan, Decker, Griffin, Isabelle and Mo; siblings, John Byrnes and his wife, Jeanne, Laurie Bosman and her husband, Ruud, Sharon Herman and her husband, Steve, Dan Byrnes.

A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Mosaic SA, whose vision is to help orphan and vulnerable children across Africa find a loving and caring family, where they can realize their God-given potential (https://mosaicsa.org/).