Barbara Carol LaNasa

Barbara C. LaNasa, 81, of the Whiting section of Manchester Twp., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at Crestwood Manor in Whiting. Barbara was born in 1933 in Chicago, IL. She graduated with honors from Notre Dame High School and was awarded a full scholarship to Dominican College in New Orleans. She later transferred to Loyola University of New Orleans where she met her husband, James E. LaNasa, Jr. Barbara graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and James graduated from the Loyola Dental School with a DDS. After having 5 children, she successfully returned to her passion of education and achieved 3 Master’s Degrees; one in Counseling & Guidance, one in Library Science and one in Education.

Barbara lived in the greater New Orleans area from 1951 to 2010 in a small town named Harahan. She and her family lived on Imperial Woods Drive where she had many surrogate children. She was a teacher of gifted & talented students for Jefferson Parish Public Schools, where she helped students publish children’s poetry books. Her legacy is inspiring children to learn, including her three grandchildren.

Barbara was a pillar of the community and an active member of St. Rita Church where she taught catechism for more than 25 years. One of her many passions was serving the community through her church as a Eucharistic minister to the elderly and more importantly to the severely mentally ill patients of Charity Hospital in New Orleans.

For the past 5 years Barbara lived in Crestwood Manor in Whiting, New Jersey. She loved her life and new friendships at the Manor. She was selfless and became an ambassador for many who were dealing with aging, health and other issues. Her positive attitude was infectious. In spite of her significant and progressive health challenges, she acted and said that she was “Simply Marvelous” when asked, “How are you?” by her many friends at the Manor.

Barbara is predeceased by her husband, James E. LaNasa, Jr. in 1998 and is survived by her 5 children; James E. LaNasa, III and his wife Carol Lambert-LaNasa of New Orleans, LA., Julie Marie LaNasa and her husband John Kunzweiler of Tiburon, CA., Barbara Angeline Smith and her husband Charles of Whiting, NJ., Mary Elizabeth LaNasa of Santa Fe, NM., and Cynthia Ann Kolberg and her husband Sven of Drammen, Norway. Barbara is also survived by her 3 grandchildren, James E. LaNasa IV, 27, Michael Lambert LaNasa, 22, and Helena Elizabeth Kolberg, 18, and by her sister Louise Paluszek of Coral Gables, FL and brother Richard Jas of Logan, UT.

The family wishes to thank those who gave Barbara their friendship and support, including her dear friends Charlotte McGrath, Marjorie Bergstrom and June Smith, and the excellent and compassionate staff at Crestwood Manor who made every day " Simply Marvelous." The family wishes to acknowledge her loving daughter Babette for her devotion to her mother's joy, care and well being.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Barbara’s memory to The National Institute of Mental Health Gift Fund at 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6101, MSC 9655 Bethesda, MD 20892 or online at www.nimh.nih.gov or to Crestwood Manor (a not for profit organization) at 50 Lacey Rd. Whiting, NJ 08759. Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lacey Rd. Whiting, Manchester Twp. 08759 is in charge of the arrangements.