Barbara Joyce Hollander-Peterson, 83, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at Monmouth Care Center, Long Branch. Born on January 2, 1932 in Newark, she resided in Glen Ridge and Montclair before moving to Verona. Barbara graduated Verona High School in 1949, where she met her high school sweetheart, Stephen. They married in 1951, then settled in Verona where they raised their two sons, Larry and Randy.
Barbara chose to be a stay-at-home mom for many years to raise and enjoy her family, but also volunteered as a part-time aide for the Verona Recreation Department. She later established a summer grammar school camp for children called “Tot Lot”, which ran every summer for several years. In the mid 1960s, Barbara received an assistant position with the American Red Cross in Essex Fells. Within five years, she was named Essex County director, where she held that position for 20 years. During that time, both Barbara and her husband Steve were members of the Montclair Operetta Club where Barbara was lead soprano and Steve played the drums in the orchestra. Barbara was the lead in several off-Broadway renditions of popular Broadway shows.
Barbara and husband Steve moved to Morristown in 1978. In 1979 they bought a country vacation home set on 40 acres in Unadilla, N.Y. It was in 1986, after they both retired, that they decided to leave Morristown and establish full time residency at their beautiful country home in Unadilla. Some of the most memorable times for Barbara were the years spent at her country home, where she enjoyed entertaining family and friends as well as enjoying the natural beauty of all four seasons. In 1998, Barbara and Steve left the country and moved to Long Branch, so they could be closer to their son Larry and family. Barbara became a parishioner of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in West Long Branch, where she became an active member of the choir, as one of their soloists. Barbara will always be remembered for her love of music, her beautiful voice, her joyful spirit and her caring and compassionate manner to all those who knew her.
She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Marie Hollander, her husband, Stephen, of 50 years, and son Randy. Surviving are her son, Larry Peterson and daughter-in-law Louise (Valentino) of West Long Branch and two grandchildren, Gregory and Michelle, both of West Long Branch.
Visitation Monday, October 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell Street, Long Branch. Funeral services, Tuesday, October 13, 11 a.m. at The Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 922 Broadway, West Long Branch. Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Red Cross- Jersey Coast Chapter, 154 West Park Ave., Ocean NJ 07712. To share a favorite memory of Barbara please visit her Book of Memories.
