Barbara Rhodes, 82, died Friday in the presence of her family. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, she came to Matawan in 1964 and Manasquan in 1999.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and had many lifelong friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Barbara had a unique way of making everyone she met feel special. She was always ready to enjoy time at the beach or the Manasquan inlet. In her later years, sitting on her porch brought her happiness.

 Her greatest joy came from her family, especially her grandchildren. They were blessed to know the beauty of a heartfelt handwritten card for every occasion or milestone of their lives. She was predeceased by her husband Willett A Rhodes in 2004 and daughter Lisa Beth Rhodes in 1974. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Jerrie Lynn Rhodes; her daughter Amy Veivia and seven grandchildren, Nicholas Rhodes and his wife Kathryn Rhodes, Lauren Rhodes, Olivia Rhodes, Audrey Veivia, Alexander Veivia, Lisa Veivia, and Katherine Veivia.

Additionally, Barbara leaves behind her sisters Dorothy and Elizabeth and her brother William and their spouses and many nieces and nephews.

She was a parishioner of the Church of St. Denis in Manasquan. At Barbara’s request, there will be no Funeral Mass. She said, “funerals are sad, and I prefer that my family and friends have happy memories of me.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either The Salvation Army, 605 Asbury Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 or the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To send condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.