Obituary of Barbara L. Richards

Barbara L. Richards, 82, of Beach Haven, NJ, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at Chestnut Knoll in Boyertown after a battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the loving wife of the late Frank Richards. Born in North Bergen, NJ she was a daughter of the late Edward and Louise (Maas) Miller. Barbara was a graduate of Englewood School of Nursing. After marriage and 12 children and working full time, she pursued her Masters Degree in nursing from East Stroudsburg State College. She retired in 1999, from the Stroudsburg School Area District as an elementary school nurse with over 35 years of service. She was an active member of St. Matthew’s Parish in East Stroudsburg and a pillar member of the community. Barbara volunteered her time not only with St. Matthew’s, but also with St. Luke’s in Stroudsburg, and the Knights of Columbus. She was also a member of Notre Dame Booster Club, always attending sporting events, concerts, plays and any other activity her children were involved with. She made time to enjoy a Maj Jong club, reading and doing her daily crossword puzzles. She adored her family and grandchildren and babysat when ever she was needed. Upon retiring in 1999, she moved to Beach Haven, Long Beach Island, NJ, where you could always find her sitting in her chair outside of her house watching the vacationers and neighbors come and go, with her dog, Belle, at her side. If she wasn’t on her porch, she was at the beach or walking by the bay. While, in Beach Haven, she also worked part time for Ocean County School District as an Elementary Nurse. After four years of study, she became a Secular Franciscan through St. Francis Parish, where she also volunteered as Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She enjoyed travel and visited the countries of England, Ireland, France and her favorite Oberammergau, Germany. She is survived by eight daughters: Barbara Homsher of Lancaster, Sue Lausch of Lancaster, Carol Bonavita of North Canton, OH, Nancy Richards of Skippack, Mary Fish of Cape Canaveral, FL, Anne Montgomery of New Holland, Elisabeth (Buffy) Pipolo of Cresco, Sara Richards of Beach Haven, NJ; four sons: Frank Richards of Barnegat, NJ, John Richards of Deerfield Beach, FL, William Richards of Drexel Hill, Thomas Richards of Asheville, NC; sister: Pattie Stewart-Miller; brother: Tommy Miller, nineteen grandchilren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister: Jackie Blauvelt and a brother: Edward Miller. There will be a viewing on Thursday, February 9 from 4-7 pm at the Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Monsignor John A. Bergamo will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, February 10 at 10:00 am at St. Matthew’s Parish, 200 Broad Ave., East Stroudsburg. Interment will follow at Laurelwood Cemetery in Stroudsburg. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in honor of Barbara, may be made to the Notre Dame East Stroudsburg Booster Club, 60 Spangenburg Ave. East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 or to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.