Barbara K. Lautenschlager, 85, of Ocean City, NJ passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at her home with her family by her side. Born in Paterson, NJ to Earl and Helen (Bannworth) Kearns, Barbara lived in North Jersey and attended Hawthorne High School where she first met the love of her life, Bob. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle and became a public school teacher. Barbara taught high school Spanish and history in Ridgewood, NJ. She and her family lived in Bedford, MA and Annandale, VA before moving to Ocean City, NJ in 1970. She was a Spanish and English Language Learning Teacher for the Egg Harbor City School District, where she received the Teacher of the Year Award. Teaching was her passion: she was dedicated to her profession and will be remembered as an educator who cared about her students and changed many lives for the better. She always had a smile on her face and was loved by her colleagues and students. She retired in 2001. Barbara was a lifelong Catholic who loved volunteering and working to improve the lives of others wherever she could. She was an active member of St. Damien’s Parish. At Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, she served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and was the former President of the Altar Rosary Society, remaining active in many committees and events, and was the former Secretary of the Parish Council. Every Christmas since 2005 she, with her husband, was in charge of the Giving Tree at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, providing many toys to needy children. Barbara was a recognizable face and Spanish speaker to many visitors at the Ocean City Ecumenical Council’s Food Cupboard and Clothes Closet. Barbara was an avid sports fan all her life, ever since her father took her to Yankees games as a child. She loved Joe DiMaggio and Mike Trout and rooted for the Yankees, Phillies, Eagles, CBA Colts, and all the local Ocean City teams. She became an avid Villanova Wildcats basketball fan, but also rooted for the Hoyas. One of Barbara’s greatest joys was her family. She enjoyed being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and never missed a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or sacrament. She was proud to play any role in her family’s lives, from a Brownie Troop Leader to a Confirmation Sponsor. She loved her life on the water. Surviving are her beloved husband of 62 years: Robert W. Lautenschlager, her children: Robert J. (Kathleen) of Philadelphia, Pa, David E. (Karen) of Mont Vernon, NH and Susan L. (Paul) Ouano of Holmdel, NJ. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and her sister, Janet Scavo. She was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Helen Kearns, and her grandson Michael Lautenschlager. A viewing for family and friends with Covid restrictions will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 10 until 11 o’clock at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church of St. Damien Parish, 40th Street at Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 o’clock. Her funeral Mass will be live streamed on Barbara’s page on the funeral home website. Burial will follow in Seaside Cemetery, Palermo, NJ. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, Inc., PO Box 1001, Ocean City, NJ 08226 or at OCECNJ.org Condolences may be left for the family at www.godfreyfuneralhome.com
Barbara K. Lautenschlager, 85
