Barbara Jean Azzarello (Bennett) passed away on January 27, 2024 in the comfort of her home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

  Barbara grew up on Terhune Ave in the Greenville section of Jersey City. She graduated from Holy Family in Bayonne in 1965. Barbara often reminisced with her children by telling them stories of sharing penny candy with her father Stanley while watching baseball, coordinating the most fashionable outfits with her mother Mary and sister Sharon, taking care of her wild brother Jack who she adored, taking her first born nephew Jay for grilled cheese and chocolate milk, and what we suspect to be the PG version of her adventures with her best friend Linda.

  On October 6th, 1972 she married the love of her life, her husband of 52 years, Charlie. Shortly after, they bought our perfect little home on Van Riper Ave in Rutherford. It was there they built what Barbara called “the most beautiful life”. She quickly made many friends because, being the mom she was, she was involved in all and present at everything - whether we wanted her to be or not. Her love of sewing not only helped her dress her daughter perfectly from the bows in her hair to the trim on her socks, but also gave her children the most unique costumes and memorable Halloweens. Her creativity became well known during the cabbage patch craze of the 80s. Rutherford had the best dressed dolls thanks to her and her friend Peggy. But it was her job at Dr Desteno and Dr Fanielli’s office that connected her with so many people. She is remembered fondly as she always had a smile and a kind word for anyone walking through the door.

  Barbara’s greatest accomplishment was her family. She created a home so warm that our family and friends felt comfortable spending hours there - whether it was a backyard celebration or our annual Christmas night gathering, it was guaranteed to be a late night. A night that kept going even when Charlie fell asleep. She welcomed her son-in-law, Ricky, and daughter-in-law Marie with open arms, always treating them like her own. She was so proud that both of her children went back to their roots and became Jersey City teachers. She was our biggest cheerleader, our shoulder to lean on, our safe place to share anything, and our biggest inspiration. Diagnosed with MS in 1983, there was rarely a day that she uttered a complaint. She taught all of us so much about the power of being positive. As great as she was at being a mother, she was even better at being “Nanny” to Nate, Marcus, Luke, and Delilah.  If mom said no, Nanny was on speed dial. She made sure they had everything they needed, most of what they wanted, but most importantly, more love than any child could ask for. 

  Barbara will be missed by so many. Charlie will miss watching Jeopardy together and reminiscing about their travels around the world. Mark will miss their heart to heart talks and finding her the best chocolate covered cherries. Megan will miss her constant Facebook comments and the way she loved Christmas. Her grandchildren will forever have a piece of their heart missing. Despite our devastating loss, we will continue to enjoy our lives together as a family, because that is what Barbara taught us.  

Family will recieve friends Thursday February 1, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00pm at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford.  Funeral Friday gathering 9:00am at the funeral home for a 10:00am Mass of Christian Liturgy at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, East Rutherford. Private Cremation. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation at msfocus.org or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org.