Barbara Joan Thompson

Barbara was born in Long Branch, NJ, the second child of William and Mabel Tarnow. As a young child her family moved to the US Army base at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook, NJ, where they lived in the Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keeper’s house, now on the National Historic Register. Barbara’s years growing up on “the Hook” were centered on family and friends, many of whom were children of military personnel during World War II. Years later in her late 80s, she returned to Sandy Hook and met with the National Park Service Historian to share her memories and stories.

After graduating from Middletown High School, she moved to Jersey City and worked as a secretary for the Prudential Insurance Company in Newark. Barbara met the love of her life and future husband, Jack, in Belmar and they married on May 2, 1953. As newlyweds, they began their family in West Orange, then moved to Livingston in 1956 where Barbara and Jack raised their five children. Barbara was a Livingston resident for nearly 70 years.

When her children were older, Barbara returned to work as a receptionist for pediatricians Dr. McKernan and Dr. Lander’s practices in Livingston.

A yearly treasured highlight for Barbara and her husband was their annual vacation on Cape Cod with their children, family and friends. They continued trips to the Cape well into their retirement.

A devoted mother, strong, kind and generous, Barbara was a beautiful person inside and out. She loved her family dearly, and being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother were the joys of her life. She was active in the Livingston AARP and Oak Leaf Seniors Club and had a wide social circle. She liked to play cards and board games. She enjoyed solving crossword and other puzzles, reading, and loved collecting crystal bells. Barbara was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner of Saint John Church in Orange and Saint Philomena Church in Livingston.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 2006 and daughter, Carol in 2011.

She is survived by her four children: Karen Bolten and husband Peter of Pensacola, FL, Jack Thompson and wife Laura of Wayne, NJ, Barbara Bennett and husband David of Inlet Beach, FL and Linda LaCosta and husband Ed of Randolph, NJ, as well as her 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 25, from 5-8 pm at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10 am at Saint Philomena Roman Catholic Church, 386 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, NJ.