Addie was born on August 2, 1929 at her home in Drifton, PA to Frank Petruce and Bridget (Larker) Petruce. She was the second youngest of eight daughters (Evelyn, Nora, Veronica, Irene, Cathy, Jeanette, and Mimi), all of whom she had special bonds with throughout her life.
She attended Hazle Township High School in Hazleton, PA and graduated in 1947. Through her high school friend, Dolly, she met the love of her life, John Barkocy, Dolly’s brother. Though they quickly fell in love, it was Addie’s father’s wish that she not marry before she was 20. Respecting his wishes, she turned 20 on a Tuesday and married John the following Saturday. Moving to Delran, NJ in 1955, they bought an empty lot and proceeded to build their ‘forever’ home with their own hands (Addie had a knack for hammering the nails in crooked). Both she and her husband worked in and retired from the Riverside, NJ Post Office. Addie was one of the first women to work there.
She had many hobbies and interests throughout her life, such as square dancing with her husband and the Delran Ding-A-Lings, writing poetry, reading, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, traveling, and watching football (go EAGLES!). Anyone who knew Addie knew she had a keen wit and great sense of humor, including a decades-long joke with her family that included many flamingos. Her favorite thing though was her family, and she always put them before herself right up to her final days.
Addie was preceded in death by her father, Frank, her mother, Bridget, her husband, John, and her seven sisters.
She is survived by her daughter Barbara (Edward) Merchant, daughter Beth Barkocy, granddaughter Bridget (Greg) Saul, granddaughter Sammy (Frank) Clark, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in New Jersey in the summer of 2021; details to be announced closer to that date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Caring Place, a part of Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, who is dedicated to easing the journey for adults diagnosed with cancer, as well as for their caregivers.
You can donate through their website (nvccf.org/the-caring-place) or by mailing a check to:
The Caring Place
c/o Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation
3711 Sunset Road
Las Vegas, NV 89120
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