Barbara B. Hessinger

Barbara B. Hessinger

AGE: 80 • Red Bank

Barbara Bache Birt Hessinger was born July 16, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio and died on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. She resided in West Caldwell for over 50 years before moving to Red Bank, NJ in 2011. Barbara was a direct descendent of Benjamin Franklin (8th great granddaughter). She was raised in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated with honors from Fairview High School in Dayton, later attending Miami University in Oxford, earning a degree in psychology from the University of Dayton in 1954. Until her retirement in 1994, Barbara first worked as a social worker in Ohio, then as a mental health counselor in Montclair, NJ. She met her husband Philip S. Hessinger on a blind date in 1952. They were married on March 28, 1953. This year they were planning on celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary together. Barbara loved to travel with Philip and was fortunate enough to see the world. She was very involved with the community and various organizations including the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Help Line Crisis Intervention, the Roundtowners Dinner & Dance Club, and her beloved Bridge Club. In the 1960's she was her daughter's Girl Scout Leader (Troop 500), and was Den mother of her son's Cub Scout Pack 9.

She leaves behind the love of her life, Philip, along with two children, Stephen and his wife Patt of Fair Haven, and Susan (Reid) and her husband Bob of Tinton Falls. She also leaves behind her brother, Jim and his wife Janet; her brother-in-law, Bill Hessinger and his wife Jo. She adored her 6 grandchildren, Kasey, Cooper, Dylan, Stephen, Pierce and Brandon. She loved all her nieces and nephews, and will be sorely missed by them and by many dear friends, too many to list by name, which she cherished like family.

At Barbara's request, her remains will be cremated and her family will have a private memorial service at a later date.