Barbara Rapoza

Barbara Rapoza Kane, of Jackson, New Jersey, died peacefully in her sleep on December 21, 2025. Born in Eufaula, Alabama on February 10, 1945, Barbara lived a life focused on hard work, spending her early years in Fall River, Massachusetts, before relocating to New Jersey. She was a longtime resident of Manalapan, NJ, before moving to Grand Island, Florida, in her retirement. A dedicated worker, Barbara spent many years as a batcher at Del Monte and later at Procter & Gamble before retiring.
Barbara was predeceased by her first husband, Alfred C. Rapoza, in 1993; her second husband, Howard "Jack" Kane, in 2012; and her brother, Stanley Zabawa, in 1993. She is survived by her six children: her son Joseph (wife Sandy) of Englishtown, NJ, and their children, Jessica, Heather, and Tommy; daughter Janice (husband Eddie) of Jackson, NJ, and their children, Nikki, Shelly, and Eddie; daughter Judy (husband Chris) of Englishtown, NJ, and their children, Christina, Kirsten, and Shannon; son Jim (wife Bridgette) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and their children, Sophia and Sonia; daughter Jennifer of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL; and daughter Jeanine (husband Dave) of Freehold, NJ, and their children, Marco, Vincent, Ava, and Audrey. Barbara also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren and a brother, John Zabawa, of Gettysburg, PA.
Barbara will be remembered for her strong work ethic and resilience. She was a quiet woman, except when she was ironing or cleaning. She rarely complained and was kind and giving, always wearing her heart on her sleeve. Barbara had a sweet tooth that many of her children share and was a talented crocheter. In her golden years, she truly embraced life, enjoying travel with Jack in their RV and trying new activities, including learning to swim. Barbara absolutely loved her two dogs, Suze and Precious, and thrived in the warmth of Florida. She was also active in her local church and had a passion for shopping on QVC, often watching the channel day and night. She particularly enjoyed lotto scratch-offs and was well-known for using a spoon to scratch off the tickets instead of a coin. Above all, she worked very hard, did her best, and loved her children deeply.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, from 4-7 PM at Freeman's Funeral Home in Freehold, NJ. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Barbara's life and share their memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation to honor her and the struggle against kidney disease.