Barbara B. Henry, age 77, of Ocean City, NJ passed away peacefully on July 17th, 2025.
Barbara was the devoted wife of Arthur Henry Jr. and loving mother to her surviving children Victoria “Tori” Brennan (Bobby), Arthur Richmond Henry III, and a cherished grandmother to her granddaughters Evie and Emma Brennan. She is also survived by her brother Cy and many wonderful brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Frequently described as the “Energizer Bunny” she brought positive energy and infectious enthusiasm to everything she did and to all who knew her.
Barbara was born December 11, 1947 in Saginaw, Michigan to Floyd & Virginia Brefka. She grew up with siblings Greg, Cy and Bibiana and after the unfortunate passing of her mother at age 7, Floyd was remarried to her stepmother, Katie who brought 3 brothers into the family (Jim, Ron, Gary). She graduated from Carlton High School in 1965 and went on to the local Community College. Barbara spent summers with her family at Wixom Lake water skiing, fishing, swimming and boating.
In her early 20s Barbara was part of the “hippie” movement and after working briefly in Detroit, she traveled to Minnesota and then California. When she returned to Detroit, she applied for a job in the back of a boating magazine which led her to Newport, RI. She landed the position as the boat keeper on a 50’ Trimaran, “Predator” where she would meet her husband, Arthur. Arthur was friends with the owner of the boat and they all adventured aboard throughout the Caribbean and East Coast. As her relationship with Art progressed, she moved to his home in New Jersey, raced 30’ sailboats offshore at the Ocean City Yacht Club and married in 1976.
Barbara was a dedicated mother who supported her children in all their pursuits and inspired a lifelong love of the ocean from the dock of their waterfront home in Ocean City, NJ. She involved herself heavily in the community both personally and professionally, nurturing friendships and creating lasting bonds with everyone she touched. She worked as the Lifestyles Editor at the Ocean City Sentinel Ledger and then moved onto a career in the public relations department at Shore Medical Center. She was president of the PTA, involved in the Garden Civic Association and ran the Junior Sailing Program at the Ocean City Yacht Club. Barbara completed the New York City Marathon in 1998 and enjoyed traveling with her family.
Notable trips included tours of Australia, New Zealand, France, England; travels on their 27’ Fountain up the Hudson River to Lake Champlain, through the Chesapeake to Washington DC, sailing in the Virgin Islands and many ski trips.
After her retirement, Barbara and Art lived in the Florida everglades. She loved staying busy with new friends boating, fishing, gardening, practicing yoga, playing bridge and working at a local boutique. The pair continued to adventure, traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, through the Mediterranean, road tripping along the Lewis and Clark trail, Yellowstone, the Natchez Trace, amongst countless others. In later retirement, they moved back to their home on “the lagoon” in Ocean City, NJ where she continued to share her warm heart and free spirit with close friends, family, and the community.
An intimate celebration of her life will be scheduled for a later date.
Those desiring to make a contribution in Barbara’s honor please donate to The Renee Parker Monihan Foundation (www.reneemonihanfoundation.org or 220 Crescent Rd, Ocean City, NJ 08226) or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Online condolences can be made at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Avenue Pitman, NJ 08071, (856) 589-6308
