Barbara J Nolan

Barbara J. Nolan, age 92, of Lincoln Park passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 while receiving the loving care of her family.

She was born in Paterson and raised in Hawthorne, NJ. Barbara graduated from Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1950.

Her first job was working at Kresge’s in Paterson where she was hired as a cashier during the holidays. Soon after high school Barbara entered Nursing School at the Englewood Hospital’s Nursing program. In 1953 she worked at that hospital’s newborn nursery, then at a pediatrician practice in Englewood, and later a newborn nursery at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood. Barbara went on to have three children, James, Thomas, and Nancy, and made a career choice to care for her own family. When her youngest, Nancy, was about thirteen years old Barbara got tired of watching soap operas and began working as a substitute school nurse with the Wayne Board of Education. She found school nursing very rewarding and became a part-time nurse for Wayne Valley High School. Soon she transitioned to full-time school nurse at George Washington Middle School in Wayne. After twenty years there she retired in 1996.

Barbara sang swing era music with the Roy Meyer Swingers, a modern harmony choral group based in Oakland. This was a big part of her life for about 40 years and blessed her with many friends. She also enjoyed dancing with the Best Foot Forward Dance Troupe who would tap dance for veteran groups, seniors, and at area nursing homes. Her life partner for 24 years, Charlie Nunzio, asked her to join the troupe. Already into ballroom dance, she wanted to learn tap dancing since she was a little girl. Charlie would prove to be a worthy ballroom dance partner and a much-loved companion.

Barbara was an active parishioner of Saint Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes. She volunteered at the church’s Food Pantry, knit for the Shawl Ministry, and was active with the Christian care-giving Stephen Ministry of the church. Barbara also applied her listening and nursing skills by volunteering with a hospice program. In her spare time, she took a flower arranging course at a community college and enjoyed working with and arranging plants and flowers. One of her greatest joys was food, and Barbara was a fabulous cook and even better baker. Her special touch on Kilkenny Corned Beef, raspberry bars, and all types of desserts will be greatly missed. She also ministered with her baking, bringing her kitchen creations to church functions and the hospice patients she visited.

Barbara is survived by her two sons; Thomas Nolan and his wife Stacey of Wayne, NJ, and James Nolan of Boca Raton, FL, one daughter Nancy Nolan of Pompton Lakes, NJ, three grandchildren; Ceara Nolan of Wayne, NJ, Shayla Nolan of Wayne, NJ, and Haley Nolan of Ft Lauderdale, FL, one niece Susan Gilpin, and one nephew Robert Gilpin. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Gilpin, and her parents Francis and Edith Gilpin.

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In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate in Barbara’s name are asked to consider St Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes