Barbara Parks, 82, of Palm City, Florida and a former resident of Monmouth County and Canton, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on her 82 nd birthday, Wednesday September 7. She was surrounded by her adoring family. She was born on September 7, 1934, in Jersey City, where she attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School, St. Michael’s High School and St. Francis School of Nursing. She married her beloved husband, Richard “Dick” Parks, in 1954. She was a woman of devout Catholic faith. As the matriarch of her family, Barbara served as a loving, supportive, confidant to her husband, children and many, many friends. Her selfless attitude and witty personality brightened every room she entered. Barbara handled all obstacles in life with dignity and grace, even during her final days.
Throughout their early marriage, Barbara and Dick raised their six children in many locations in the U.S., before transferring to London, England, in 1970. As her husband’s job required much travel, Barbara served as the pillar of the family through her strength and guidance. One year later, she expertly spearheaded the family’s next move to the Netherlands. During her time in Europe, she was an active member of the American Women’s Club in London and The Hague.
After her children were grown, Barbara and her husband retired to Florida where she discovered her love of golf and country club activities, especially bridge. She was a member of Aberdeen Golf & Country Club, Willoughby Golf Club and Monarch Country Club. She also spent that time accumulating many wonderful memories while traveling the world with her family and close friends. Her fondest were of the summer vacations on the shores of Lough Corrib and the house overlooking the Oughterard Golf Course in County Galway, Ireland.
Besides her loving husband of 62 years, she is survived by her children: Jim and his wife Tracy; Donna Bennett and her husband Bruce; Brian and his wife Janie; Karen Waldman and her husband Dan; Ellen Nolen and her husband Tim; and Susan Rosseel and her husband Steve. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Bruce Bennett (Kelly); Justin Bennett (Kim); Tyler Bennett (Dana); Shannon Parks; Kristen McClintock (James); Ali Andryca (Mike); Ryan Aulson; Brendan Parks; Caroline Nolen; and Patrick Nolen; and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, William and Helen Davis; and her granddaughter, Emily Parks.
A service will be held at St. James Church, Red Bank, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 19. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The American Cancer Society in Barbara’s memory.
