Barbara A. Witting Wood

AGE: 57 TOMS RIVER

Barbara Wood of Toms River passed away on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 after a hard-fought battle with breast cancer. With her house in order, she passed quickly and quietly in no discomfort or pain. She was born in East Orange and lived in Howell and Brick before moving to Toms River. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Virginia Witting. She is survived by her husband, Bob; her two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa; her son-in-law, Brett Hudson; her grandsons, Robbie and Brendan; her brothers, Billy and Robert Witting, and the numerous friends and relatives whose lives were enhanced just by knowing her. With a heart and soul as big as Barbara's, and all the love to give in the world, 57 years wasn't enough.

She passed as she lived: strong, proud, graceful, and full of faith. A party wasn't complete without her, and her Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts won't be the same without her hands in the sausage stuffing. When walking into her house, her green thumb was obvious (Barbara was the only one we knew who could bring back a perennials' for multiple seasons, and she has left us house plants that are older than her children.) Her focus on her family was an admirable trait that is only outmatched by her loving touch and contagious laughter. Barbara was a dedicated wife and mother who never missed a marching band performance in Washington DC, Virginia or Florida or a chorus concert at Ramapo College. Her Husband fell in love with her blue eyes and long hair, but her daughters fell in love with her eye for a bargain and long conversations. Although she is gone, we will remember her every time we turn on the TV and see the Food Network symbol burnt on the screen. She will never be forgotten. Memories of good times on the beach will last long after our footprints have been washed away.

A viewing will be held at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main Street in Toms River on Wednesday, October 27th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Anderson and Campbell can be reached at 732-349-5700. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 28th at The Church of Epiphany, 615 Thiele Road in Brick, NJ. Interment will follow at the Saint Joseph's Cemetery in Toms River. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Meridian at Home Hospice, 1345 Campus Parkway, Suite A2, Neptune NJ 07753-9930 or at 732-751-5127 and include in memory of Barbara Wood, or to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at 877-465-6635 or at www.komen.org or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or at 800-227-2345.