Barbara Ann Stoffels

Barbara Ann Stoffels died Sunday, Aug 31 st at Morristown Medical Center after a brief illness. "Bobbi Ann" was born to Lida and Vic Stoffels in 1942 and her brother David arrived a couple of years later. They loved growing up in Blairstown where they were often found playing with their grandfather's chickens. Dave Stoffels predeceased her about 50 years ago, leaving a beautiful family, wife Barbara Mahood and husband Michael, son Peter Stoffels (deceased) and wife Kris, kids Sara and Ben, and son Jason Stoffels and wife Diocilina, kids Eric and Jason. Barbara loved her in-laws and her nephews and later got a kick out of all of the next-gen cousins growing up together.
Barbara had a special gift even as a child where she would draw/paint/carve and so much more, that she held many shows over the years all over NJ; She was still painting as recent as last week.
She married Ian Lothian and raised two girls, Lorrie and Lea. She learned to drive a tractor trailer, being one of only a women to earn an articulated license in addition to running the Loth-Lea Morgan Horse Farm and working at picatinny arsenal. When the marriage dissolved, Barbara took over the family business, Mt Vernon Oil Co, and it soon became a well respected all women owned/operated company, which later led Barb to represent the US in a Russian conference for Women in Business. She returned home to share her experiences with as many community groups as would host her.
Since she had left college to get married, she always regretted not having finished. Fast forward from 1963 to May of 2017 where she is to date, the oldest graduate of TCNJ. Barbara who once served as Blairstown's driveway inspector, later worked retail, dental practices, owned more companies, and worked in Trenton for a lobbyist. A well informed and slightly political activist, Barb became a voice for many. She had a serious neck injury after being thrown by a horse in 2003 and lived the last 20+ years with limited mobility but still managed to actively engage in local politics and in improving services for our seniors here in NJ. Her forever companion was a large orange cat named Hinkleberry, who helped here write a colorful Holiday letter to friends and family lucky enough to receive one.
Barb's biggest smiles came from her family. Her step-son Matt Hall (Eric Couture) lives in Canada and one of her greatest memories was travelling to Quebec City for their castle-wedding. Daughters Lorrie (and Sean) Koonz and Lea (Manny) Blanco gave her 4 grandchildren, Ryan (Jessica) and Justin Schoemer, and Monica (Codie) Fravell and Samantha (Tyler) Gravatt. But her best of all smiles were when she received updates or got to see her 4 great grandchildren. Riggs Schoemer lived the closest and got to see Grammy the most, but Channing and Carter Gravatt had a great relationship with her as well, while Jade Fravell who lives out of state only met her via FaceTime.
Barb actively participated in the Office on Disability Advisory Council in Mercer and most recently Warren County where she was still serving a term on the Advisory Council on Disabilities, Secretary of Warren County Arts, Independence Seniors, and so much more. She was a force to be reckoned with and she will be missed forever.
Relatives and friends may visit on Sunday October 19th from 11AM-1PM at Newbaker Funeral Home, 200 Route 94, Blairstown, NJ a Celebration of Life will start at 1 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Warren County Arts or Blairstown Ambulance Corps. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our Tree Store.