Barbara L Mathias

Barbara L Mathias (Bobbe),85 of Lake Worth, FL passed away September 11, 2022; beloved wife of the late Arnold for 61 years; loving mother of Michael and Lisa (Lenny) Lanza; adored grandmother of Jaymi and Colette. Services to be held at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, FL on Sunday, September 18 at 1pm. Entombment to follow at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach, FL. Memorial Contributions in Barbara's honor can be made to www.stjude.org,www.lung.org,or www.waynefirstaid.com.
It is with a broken heart that I make this announcement.
Today, September 11, 2022, my Mom, Barbara L Mathias (Bobbe), passed.
Mom was born in the Bronx as an only child. As the son my granddad never had, she started life as a bit of a tomboy that would soon change.
Mom graduated high school at 16 and went on to college earning her LPN. Later, she left nursing to work in Tupperware, beginning as an entry-level dealer and then owning a distributorship with Dad, who, after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from City College in NYC, followed the same path with Mom, also beginning as a dealer.
In her 40s, Mom returned to college, maintaining a 3.85 GPA, became a Registered Nurse, and began working in a variety of different capacities, settling in med-surg. During the same time, Mom volunteered for over 20 years on the Wayne First Aid Squad as an EMT, where she was also an EMT instructor. She taught CPR for the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross
Retiring with Dad and then moving to Florida, Mom began again working in nursing at Delray Medical for a few years before retiring again.
Mom volunteered at the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office for 25 years, reaching the rank of Major in the COP program, and then moving to administrative work. Mom also volunteered at Bethel Church in Palm Springs every Sunday.
In 2017, PBSO awarded Mom the Volunteer Lou Schiff Award for Excellence. "This medal is given to an administrative volunteer whose meritorious service, exceptional leadership qualities and unparalleled dedication exemplifies the highest level of achievement."
Mom had a full life, impacting countless lives, saving some, including her neighbor here in Florida some years ago, administering CPR. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, cousin, aunt, and grandmother, not to mention friend.
The day before Mom passed, time was short and I asked her, "Mom, what can I do for you? Tell me anything and I will make it happen." She said, "Tell everyone I love them."
Service will be on September 18th, 1:00pm at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, located at 11115 Jog Rd, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Afterward, we will proceed to Eternal Light Cemetery at 11520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach. All are welcome.