Obituary of Barbara Lee Strub
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Barbara Lee Strub who died peacefully on Monday, July 28th. Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great friend to all who knew her.
Born on November 21, 1930, Barbara was the daughter of Helen and Lester Evans. Growing up in East Orange, NJ, Barbara enjoyed school and was an excellent student at East Orange High School where she was elected president of her Sorority Club. After high school, she attended Drew University before taking a job at New Jersey Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator. She met the love of her life, Donald, on the tennis court in East Orange, which resulted in 54 years of a loving and happy marriage. The pair were married in 1954 and resided in a Morristown apartment before making their home in Denville in 1961, where they lived for over 64 years! During their time there, Barbara became a member of Mount Tabor Methodist Church where she not only attended services, but taught sunday school and even pre-school. Barbara's faith and her commitment to her congregation were certainly traits to be admired.
Barbara’s nurturing personality led her into careers working with children. After raising her family, she went back to work for many years as a teacher’s aide at Mt. Tabor Nursery School before leaving to care for her ailing mother. In 2010, she accepted a position as a second grade noontime aide at Littleton Elementary School where she especially enjoyed giving her students holiday crafts to make during their recess period.
Barbara immersed herself in all things family. She and Don never missed a game, rain or shine, for their grandchildren, Dan, Greg, and Jess. They also looked forward to their trips to Oklahoma to visit their grandchildren Stephen, Brian, and Jason.
Barbara was a strong and independent woman who amazed everyone with how active she was throughout her entire life. She attended the gym multiple times a week and went to physical therapy twice a week. Barbara was always on the move.
Shopping was one of her favorite activities and she was always in search of the perfect gift. Whether it be someone’s birthday, graduation, Christmas, Easter, or even ‘just because’, she devoted a lot of time and energy to ensure it was just right. She found joy in giving to others and was happiest when she could make them smile. Baking cookies every week for Sunday family dinners, as well as her hair dresser and physical therapists, were a tradition that kept her happy and busy.
Barbara loved summer and looked forward to visiting her family in Connecticut every year since she was a young girl. Running through the fields on her grandmother’s farm and going to the beach were among her favorites. She continued this tradition with her children and grandchildren. Another highlight of her summer was swimming at the Morris Plains pool and eating Dairy Queen sundaes.
She is predeceased by her husband, Donald (2008).
Barbara is survived by her loving children, Carol DePugh (Keith) and Robert Strub (Georgette); her grandchildren, Stephen (May Linn), Dan, Greg, Jess, Brian (Emily), and Jason; and great-grandson, Finn. She is also survived by her brother, Ken Evans.
If you would like to contribute to Barbara’s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable contribution to the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made via inmemof.org.
She thoroughly loved life and fully enjoyed each day. Even when things got tough, she always addressed it with determination and a positive attitude. Barbara genuinely cared for others and put their needs above her own. She was truly a Grandma to all with how much love and compassion she shared. Barbara was an extremely loving and selfless person who spread a little bit of sunshine everywhere she went. She will be deeply missed.
Hours of public visitation for Barbara will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 4 to 8 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services. A Funeral service will be held the following day, Saturday, August 2, at 10 AM at Denville Community Methodist Church of Denville, officiated by Pastor Jeannette Zajac. A procession will follow immediately after to Pleasant Hill Cemetery of Chester for a graveside service. Please leave a condolence, share a memory, or light a candle to continue to let Barbara’s light shine!
