Obituary of Barbara Marie Sharpe

It is with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Barbara Marie Sharpe, who passed away on August 16th, 2023 at Excelcare in Dover. She had shared 70 years of love, laughter, and incredible memories with family and friends.

 In April of 1953, Robert and Mary Mahlstedt welcomed their beautiful daughter, Barbara, into the world. They resided in New York City on Nagel Avenue where Barbara would be raised, alongside her older sister Linda, until she was 8 years old. The happy family relocated to Teaneck, NJ, where her brother Bob was born, before settling into Pinebrook, NJ. She graduated from Boonton High School, Class of 1971.

 Barbara was always a very independent woman; walking to the beat of her own drum as a child and through her adulthood. She was a daredevil, consistently looking for the next adventure. Over the years, she led a career as a Training Coordinator and worked for the pharmaceutical company Warner-Lambert before beginning her employment with ADP in 1987. She worked there for 21 years until 2008 when she began working the night-shift at Walmart in Boonton, due to the economy. Barbara officially retired in 2019. She truly was a remarkable woman!

Barbara was an active and dedicated member of Montville Reformed Church for many years. She participated as a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader for over 30 years, in addition to being a Deacon. In her free time, Barbara was an avid reader and loved a good Sci-Fi novel. At the end of the day, Barbara liked to cozy up with her cats, a warm cup of tea in hand, and catch the latest episodes of her favorite reality shows. Barbara was a kind and caring soul that will be deeply missed.
 

 And though we are hurt by the loss of such a beautiful soul, we take comfort in knowing that she is at peace. We now look to those she leaves behind to carry on her memory. Her family members are her siblings, Linda Lawrence and her husband, Walter, Robert Mahlstedt and his wife, Carolyn; her nieces and nephews, Michael Walter Smith and his husband, Antonio and their son, Isaac, Mark Alexander Lawrence and his wife, Kristina, Bobby Mahlstedt, Kassidy Hench and her husband, Jared and their children, Elsie Kay, Melissa Harper, and Amariah Elvia Ann, Liam Mahlstedt and his wife, Veronica, and the late Connor Mahlstedt. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time.

If you would like to contribute to Barbara’s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable contribution to either of these two organizations that Barbara was passionate about, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Donations can be made via inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation.

            A Public visitation for Barbara is scheduled for Saturday, August 26th, 2023, from 10 AM to 12 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. Funeral Service will begin at 12 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow immediately at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Barbara here to continue to celebrate her life and let her light shine.