Obituary of Barbara Jane Mufson

Barbara Jane Mufson died March 24, 2009 at St. Clare's Hospital, Denville, New Jersey. Born to Madelaine and Henry Yaffa in New York City, April 22, 1929, she was raised in Claremont, New Hampshire .At 18, she moved to New York City graduating from Julie Richmond High School. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Dr. Monroe Mufson, then a medical student at NYU School of Medicine. Barbara and Monroe eloped in June of 1947 and were formally married a second time at the Essex House Hotel in New York City during the blizzard of December 1947. When the Korean War broke out, the couple moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico where Monroe was stationed in the US Army Medical Corp. The couple moved to Denville where they resided until Monroe died in 2002. Barbara enthusiastically embraced her new community, first supporting her husband and working for his medical practice. Later, she established a retail business in town, which led to a lifelong involvement with Rotarians and the local Denville chapter of Rotary. For many years, the couple sponsored foreign students through the Rotary Foundation program. Barbara volunteered at the annual Harvest festival which was the major fundraiser for St. Clare's Hospital .These activities were still not enough of a challenge, so Barbara became one of the organizers of the Denville League of Woman Voters in the 1960's becoming president in the 1970's. In the early 80's, Denville's mayor, appointed her Consumer Affairs Director for the township. She then transitioned to the Morris County Office of Consumer Affairs. Typifying her community involvement, she became active in land preservation in Denville. In 1986, she and Monroe joined with others in founding "Protect Our Wetlands, Water and Woods "POWWW", which has helped in the conservation of over 600 acres of land in Denville and Boonton Township. Monroe and Barbara lived their beliefs. After they bought what became their farm known as "Pony Post Farm" "in Denville and Boonton Township, they proceeded to conserve forever, most of the land for future generations with the assistance of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The couple were devoted dog owners. Each new puppy held a special place in their busy lives either bird hunting with Monroe or hanging out with Barbara. Earlier in her life, Barbara was an active sportswoman, cross-country skiing in Jackson Hole Wyoming with her husband and friends, hunting and golfing. Unfortunately, a multitude of health problems, the most serious of which was diabetes, disabled her and finally caused her death. Barbara is survived by a cousin, Samuel Schatz, of San Raphael, California, two brothers in law, Dr. Alan Mufson of Boonton Township, N.J and Donald Mufson of Closter, New Jersey and numerous nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held at a later time. For those wishing to make a donation in Barbara's name, contributions may be made to POWWW , Box 438 Denville, 07834, to continue its land conservation efforts. Funeral Services under the direction of Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue Denville, NJ 07834. Please visit our website ( www.normandean.com) to view a full obituary and to light a candle in memory of Barbara.