Barbara Ann (Roeder) Matthews passed away on August 31st following a brief and sudden illness.

Born in Newark to Samuel and Naomi (Kistler) Roeder and raised in Roselle Park, Barbara was a lifelong “Jersey Girl” later raising her own family in Rutherford.  Despite her Jersey allegiance, her strong, stoic, whip-smart, and ever practical constitution was largely formed by her Pennsylvania Dutch roots which she treasured.  She was still honored and tickled to attend a recent reunion in her mother’s namesake Kistler Valley, PA sharing memories with cherished relatives as one of the eldest still standing.

Barbara graduated from Ursinus College with a Mathematics degree and worked for the Singer Manufacturing Company in NYC.

She married Vincent Matthews in 1957 and they tenderly traveled together through life’s triumphs and tempests for 57 years until his death in 2013.

With the birth of her three children, she became a full-time homemaker and mother.  For her children, Barbara was their staunchest supporter, most steadfast friend, a loving lodestar for their lives.

At nearly 92, she was still active in many local organizations as she had been throughout her life.  In the past she was involved with the PTA, the Meadowlands Museum, the Lyndhurst Historical Society and the Little Red Schoolhouse, and as a longtime Election Poll worker.

She was the current Treasurer of the Rutherford Golden Agers Club and an active member of the Kip Center where she enjoyed the fellowship and exercise.

As someone for whom conversation was a constant, Barbara’s hobbies of swimming, gardening, sewing, solitaire, and crosswords were far quieter and contemplative.  Her love of food and dining was legendary.

Raised Lutheran and active for many years at St. John’s in Rutherford, in her later years she found a home at Grace Episcopal Church where she was a current parishioner and an enthusiastic participant in the beloved Wednesday Healing Group.

Barbara’s deep and abiding faith informed and inspired the way she lived and loved and will leave a lasting template for the family to follow.

For all who truly knew her, Barbara was a fount of energy, sound wisdom, quick wit, and kind generosity.  She lived on her own terms, speaking her mind, fiercely independent, a long life, well-lived.

She is survived by her brother Dr. Donald K. Roeder and his wife Ann of Boiling Springs, PA.  Her children Laura Matthews and wife Avinash Bawa of Lyndhurst, Linda Hughes of Marietta, GA, and Nancy Zwemmer and husband Kees of Rutherford.  Her grandchildren Ricky Bawa & wife Rimpy Sidhu, Sonia Bawa & husband Josh Wirtshafter, Madeline (Hughes) and husband Daniel Wilson, Grace Zwemmer, Maxwell Zwemmer, and Jasper Zwemmer.  Her great-grandchildren Aarvin and Lily Bawa and Maya Wirtshafter.  She was eagerly awaiting the births of two great-grandsons this November, Leighton Wilson and Baby-to-be-Named-Later Wirtshafter.

We will all miss her beyond words.

Please join us for a celebration of Barbara’s life on what would have been her 92nd birthday, on September 16th at 11 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 128 W. Passaic Ave, Rutherford. An inurnment at George Washington Cemetery in Paramus will be held at a later time.

Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Rutherford Kip Center or a local charity dear to her heart such as the Rutherford Ambulance Corps, Fire Department, and Food Pantry.