In loving memory of Barbara L. Harwood of Red Bank who passed away at the age of 93 years in her home of 67 years.
Barbara, also fondly known as “Twinkle,” had a beautiful spirit that delighted in life, always ready to listen and offer words of comfort and encouragement. Her passion for others, positive attitude and wonderful sense of humor drew all to love her.
Nature was a part of her soul and her backyard was a continual feast and haven for the birds, deer, chipmunks, squirrels, woodchucks, raccoons, skunks and fox.
One of her first jobs was with the phone company as a switchboard operator and she enjoyed pioneering those early days of telecommunications. Further work included teaching nursery school at the Red Bank United Methodist Church and at Tower Hill Co-operative Nursery School, and her love of children was enthusiastically embraced by students as well as parents and colleagues. Her avocational work with the Girl Scouts made for full days and included establishing a fife and drum band that marched in the Middletown Township Tricentennial Parade. Later on in life Barbara’s skill at making beautiful quilts and bears was instrumental in her sharing this gift with others through teaching quilting and bear-making workshops.
She is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the United Methodist Church of Red Bank Scholarship Fund or to the Monmouth County SPCA.
The article originally appeared in the December 2 – 8, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
