Barbara Risko, 88, of Red Bank, passed away peacefully Oct. 5, 2023. She was born in Passaic, the only child of Mary Kapelanovich and Martin Schwartzinger.
Barbara grew up in Garfield and never missed an opportunity to be active and engaged, often opting to roller skate to school. During her time at Garfield High School, she was an active member of the chorus, glee club and knitting club, and a member of the graduating class of 1952. Her yearbook paragraph described her as “Babs… oh those curls… laughter leaps from her green eyes… a sunny nature.”
She would go on to attend the Rutgers University School of Nursing and Seton Hall University which allowed her to enjoy a long career, starting as a registered nurse at Passaic General Hospital and continuing for many years at various hospitals and clinics. She volunteered many hours at the Deborah Hospital Foundation. During her time at Passaic General Hospital, she met her beloved husband, police officer Andrew Risko, in the emergency room.
Barbara was known for her formality (especially table setting), impeccable manners, and meticulous dressing. She loved to travel, cook delicious food, do laundry, and collect Hummel figurines. She took pride in simple and complex tasks alike and was affectionately known as “Nana” to her adored grandchildren. She enjoyed her final years living at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank.
Barbara was predeceased by her dearest husband Andrew. She is survived by her cherished daughters, Carolyn Miller (Tom) and Dana Strus (George), as well as her seven much-loved grandchildren, Thomas Miller, Charlotte Miller, Bradley Miller, Bobbie Strus, Georgia Strus, Andie Strus, and George Strus.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral home service will commence at 8 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center at deborahfoundation.org/donate.
Please visit Barbara’s memorial website at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the October 19 – 25, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
