Barbara J. Waters née Johnson, 89, of Toms River, formerly of Little Silver, passed away Sept. 4, 2022, at home, surrounded by her family.
Barbara, also known as Babs, was born and raised in Sea Bright where she developed a lifelong love for the beach. She instilled this love in her children, first by taking her toddlers on the bus from an apartment in Red Bank to Sea Bright, and later by organizing beachfront family dinners. Summer days at S.B.B.P. and then Ship Ahoy beach clubs produced some of her favorite memories of joyous times with family and friends.
A loving mother, Barbara was actively involved with her children’s schools, athletic pursuits and club activities. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime parishioner of St. James RC Church in Red Bank, where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and other community organizations. Before marrying, Barbara had been to only two states, but she ultimately traveled the world, visiting six continents and seeing many of the world’s iconic sites.
Known for her expert typing skills and meticulous attention to detail, Barbara worked in administrative positions throughout her life, starting with Hintelmann’s Real Estate until her first child was born. Once her children were older, she returned to work, first at Little Silver Borough Hall and then for 14 years with the U.S. Army at Fort Monmouth as a procurement specialist for the night-vision goggles program.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Lester and Anne Johnson, and two of her siblings, Jackie Timmons and Lester Johnson.
Barbara is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, John E. Waters, who not only doted on “the most beautiful girl in Monmouth County,” as he described her for decades, but also lovingly cared for her in sickness and in health.
Barbara is also survived by her loving children, Nancy Reynolds and husband John, John “Jay” Waters and wife Anna, and Sharon Waters; her cherished grandchildren, Bridget and Madeline Reynolds, and Albert, Sarah and Eric Waters; her brother Thomas Kenneth Johnson and wife Lize; her longtime home healthcare aide Joy Campbell Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; her beloved cat; and many dear friends.
Family and friends visited Sept. 8 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 9 at St. James RC Church in Red Bank, followed by burial at Woodbine Cemetery in Oceanport.
In lieu of flowers, and to honor Barbara’s love of the beach, please consider donations in her memory to Clean Ocean Action, online at secure.donationpay.org/cleanoceanaction or by mail to 49 Avenel Blvd., Long Branch, NJ 07740.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the September 15 – 21, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
