Obituary of Barbara Griffiths Willis

Barbara Griffiths Willis, 86, of Freehold Township died Monday, January 18, 2010 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she lived all her life in Freehold. Mrs. Willis was employed in the Payroll Department at the A. & M. Karagheusian Rug Mill, Freehold, and later was employed in the Buying Offices for Foodarama Supermarkets, Freehold. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Freehold; and a member of the Freehold Township and St. Rose Senior Citizens Clubs; as well as a former Vice President of the Monmouth County and Freehold Township Republican Clubs. She was also a P.T.A. member of the West Freehold, Barkalow, Burlington Road, and Eisenhower Schools to support the education of her children, and was most proud of heading the committee that established the school lunch program in Freehold Township. She supported several local bingo games, and loved to sew and bake, especially known for her apple pies. Her family was her focus, and one of the last things she told her family was how thankful she was to be a part of their family. Daughter of the late Sydney and Nellie Cantrell Griffiths, she was also predeceased by her husband, George Lawrence “Larry” Willis, who died in 1994. Surviving are her children, Lawrence and Helen Willis, Jackson Township, Karen Sarageno, Freehold, and Mark and Jackie Willis, Freehold Township, with whom she lived; her grandchildren, Glen and Jen Willis, Wildwood, Missouri, Vincent and Pamela Sarageno, Hagerstown, Maryland, Valerie Sarageno and Joanna and Patrick Koping, all of Freehold, and Zachary and Matthew Willis, Freehold Township; her great grandchildren, Maison and Ruby Willis, Christopher and Jacob Sarageno, and Connor, Sean, and Kyle Koping; her sisters, Edna Provost, Freehold Township, Gloria Haraz, Henderson, Nevada, and Joyce Day, Point Pleasant; a brother-in-law, John D. Willis, Freehold Township; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Willis, Hershey, Pennsylvania and Ann Tovey, Amsterdam, New York; and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 33 Throckmorton Street, Freehold. Donations in her memory to the Freehold First Aid Squad, 18 Spring Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 or the Charcot Marie Tooth Association, 2700 Chestnut Street, Chester, PA 19013 would be appreciated. Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold is in charge of arrangements.