Barbara D. Bacmeister, 72, of Port Monmouth, passed away Friday, March 18th. Barbara was born in Somerville, NJ on September 19, 1949, a daughter of the late Helen and William C. Bacmeister. She moved to Middletown in the early 1960's with her family. Barbara was a teacher at Bayview Elementary School in Belford, for 39 years retiring in 2011. She was active in the teachers' union. She proudly stood up for their rights and even went to jail during a protest! In her spare time, Barbara enjoyed crafting. She used to attend craft fairs to sell her items. This was something she started doing with her mother and continued for many years. She was an avid collector of things, enjoyed gardening, shopping and had a great love for animals. She had several pet cats that she adored and considered them her children. They were all named after flowers. Barbara was a proud breast cancer survivor! 

  Barbara is survived by her brother, William B. Bacmeister and his wife Valerie along with a niece Jacquelyn Yelvington and nephew Kurt Yelvington, all of Florida and her dear friend Debby Mrykalo.

   A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10am on Friday, April 8th at St. Mary Mother of God Church in New Monmouth.  The Committal Service will immediately follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Foundation at www.diabetes.org  or to the animal rescue of your choice