Barbara R. Thorpe, 89, of Lincroft, passed away Nov. 20, 2025, just four days shy of her 90th birthday. Bobbie was born Nov. 24, 1935, in Dumont and was raised in Red Bank. She was a proud member of the Red Bank High School Class of 1953.
Bobbie was a tomboy in her youth. She loved sports and lettered in basketball. She loved to bowl, roller-skate, and ice-skate. She learned carpentry from her father and crabbing from her grandfather. She rode her horse whenever she could and loved animals of all kinds, especially her dogs and cats.
Bobbie was a bit of a rebel – she was sent home from high school for wearing jeans!
She began working for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company in 1953. During her years at Bell, Bobbie was a member of CWA Local 1001 and served as secretary-treasurer. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and served as president of the Red Bank/Freehold Council. Through her involvement in the Telephone Pioneers, she participated in many charitable activities.
Bobbie is remembered by her family for loving many styles of music, with country being her favorite. She certainly knew her way around the kitchen and enjoyed making a fine meal for her family and friends. Bobbie enjoyed traveling with her husband Bill; they visited Hawaii, Mexico and much of the United States. They especially loved trips to Maine in the fall for leaf peeping and a great seafood dinner.
Bobbie enjoyed crafting after her retirement. She also loved to watch sports; the NFL, baseball, golf and tennis were all enjoyable to her.
Bobbie met the love of her life, Bill, in 1954. She was literally driving her convertible around the circuit in Red Bank when she saw Bill on the street corner. They celebrated 70 years of marriage in May. Bobbie and Bill built a house, raised three kids and enjoyed a good, long life together.
Bobbie was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Suzanne Reynolds; her sisters, Carol R. Story and Joan R. Baxter; and her daughter-in-law Barbara Loechel.
Bobbie is survived by her loving husband, William C. Thorpe Jr., and her children, Christa McLaughlin (Brian), William C. Thorpe III and Barbara Thorpe-Nelson (Michael). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jacob Nelson, Theodore Thorpe, Dana Thorpe and Catherine Nelson; her sister Patricia Mueller; her brother Howard Reynolds; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held Nov. 23 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A prayer service was held Nov. 24 at the funeral home. Entombment followed at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lunch Break of Red Bank at lunchbreak.org or the Monmouth County SPCA at monmouthcountyspca.org.
The article originally appeared in the December 4 – 10, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
