Barbara A. Fantino, 73, of Mays Landing passed away on April 5, 2023, after long bouts with a series of illnesses.
Born on August 5, 1949 in Niagara Falls, Barbara grew up in Western New York and relocated to South Jersey in the early 80s. She was a longtime resident of Deptford before moving to Mays Landing two years ago to be closer to family.
Barbara spent the past six years bragging to everyone about her granddaughter Makenna and lit up whenever she’d visit. She is also survived by her son John (Danielle), sister Norma (Edward), brother David, and a small army of nieces and nephews.
Barbara has been reunited with her husband Anthony in heaven after losing him suddenly in 1990. Her life as a widow was difficult, but her resiliency shined as she went back to college and earned a degree in her early 40s, carved out a successful career in insurance, and thrived as a single mother.
Barbara was a perfectionist like her father, and her work-ethic was second to none. Right up to her final days she had her checkbook balanced to the penny, her bed made with pristine creases and nary a wrinkle.
Affectionately known as “Babs” or “Barbie” to friends and coworkers, Barbara played as hard as she worked, with trips to the casinos being her favorite pastime.
In her youth, Barbara was a competitive figure skater and later volunteered as an ice-skating instructor. She was also a mentor for kids competing in the Special Olympics. The biggest influence in her son John’s competitive ice hockey career, Barbara played the role of “Hockey Mom” to perfection, gladly shuttling him to rinks all over the map for practices and games.
A devout Catholic, Barbara was a longtime member of Most Holy Redeemer Church in Deptford and later Holy Angels Parish in Woodbury.
Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday, April 15 from 1-3 p.m., at Boakes Funeral Home, 6050 Main Street, Mays Landing, NJ 08330. A short service will begin at 3 p.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation in Barbara’s memory to Fred’s Footsteps (fredsfootsteps.org), which provides financial relief for families in the Philadelphia area who find themselves in a crisis due to the costs associated with caring for a seriously ill, injured or disabled child.