The Passing of Barbara A. Vandenberge

Barbara A. Vandenberge

Barbara A. Vandenberge

AGE: 61 • Avon

Barbara A. Vandenberge, 61, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Manor By The Sea, Ocean Grove. Barbara was the owner of Southside Florist, Bangs Ave., Asbury Park and was employed by the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. She spent most of her life, however, in Ocean County. She was employed by the Visiting HomeCare Service of Ocean County, where she served in various positions, from Community Information Officer to Assistant Director. She was a Cum Laude graduate of both Ocean County and Georgian Court Colleges. She was a founding member of the Lakewood/Jackson Junior Woman's Club; past recipient of the Lakewood Jaycee's Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, served on the Ocean County Task Force on Senior Victimization and Elder Abuse and was a member of the Advisory Board of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Ocean County. Prior to entering the health care field, Barbara worked for many years in the local news media. Throughout the 1970's, she was a familiar voice to listeners of radio stations WOBM, where she was the first female newscaster, and WJRZ during its first years on the air, as well as other local radio and cable television stations. During that time and later, as a reporter and news editor for the Lakewood Town News in the early 1980's, she had the opportunity to interview President George Bush; First Lady Barbara Bush; Congresswoman Millicent Fenwick; and Congressman Bill Bradley. Her talent for communications continued to be an asset in her work with the Visiting HomeCare Service, on behalf of which she spoke to hundreds of senior citizen groups throughout Ocean County. Barbara was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Avon.

She is predeceased by her father, Robert Vandenberge, who died in 1985; and her mother, Stella Vandenberge, who died in 2003. She is survived by her partner of 18 years, Lorna Becker; her son, Michael Vandenberge and granddaughters, Emily and Aubrey; her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Elaine Vandenberge; three nephews, Brian, Neil, and Craig Vandenberge; her assimilated daughters, Dawn and Joy Carter, and granddaughters, Kylie and Emily; as well as many cherished extended family members.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Avon. Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd., Toms River, is in charge of the arrangements. www.silvertonmemorial.com