Claudia Hrovat-Barber

Claudia Barber (née Hrovat), resident of West Palm Beach, Fl, received a new fashion accessory; her Angel wings on August 14, 2014. Though she had an enormous heart for others, it failed her that morning with her loving sister by her side. Born July 25, 1956 to Louis & Felecia (née Bonick) Hrovat, in Chicago Heights, IL, Claudia was a high energy person who loved people and fashion, accomplishing whatever she set her mind to do. She graduated from Robert Morris College, Moser School of Fashion Merchandising in Chicago, IL going on to become highly successful in all aspects of the fashion industry. Claudia's career began at Marshall Field Co. in Chicago and quickly advanced to Divisional Merchandise Manager of Accessories for The Limited Inc. in Columbus Ohio, where she held record breaking tenure in both sales & margin. While in Ohio, she conceived the successful Simply Stated catalogue company. Claudia provided her wealth of fashion knowledge to Jay Jacobs and Mariposa Stores in Seattle, WA, before going on to conceive and develop feature articles for Sportswear International Magazine, NYC, traveling extensively to Europe to capture the International fashion and lifestyle trends. In the 1990s, continuing extensive International travel, she established Neovision Inc. in NYC, providing comprehensive market research, trend forecasting, product and line development, and merchandising consulting services. She lived in many places before settling in West Palm Beach Fl, where she met and married Mr. Elvis (Gene) Barber. Claudia will be especially remembered for her quick wit, love of life, spirit of adventure, and the tenaciousness that allowed her to achieve top rankings in many diverse endeavors. She is survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Paulette & John Ciaccio of Milpitas, Ca and preceded in death by her beloved husband Gene and parents Louis & Felecia Hrovat. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on August 30, 2014, at 10:30 am at St. Agnes Church in Chicago Heights, IL. The family will receive friends and family at St. Agnes Church from 9 am until the time of Mass. Entombment will be at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, IL. Memorials to St. Agnes or a charity of choice would be appreciated by Claudia's family. Arrangments entrusted to Smits, Steger Memorial Chapel 3045 Chicago Rd, Steger, IL. 708-755-6100 or www.smitsfh.com.