Barbara Boehning Holbrook, age 91 years, of Warren, NJ, died peacefully at home on Sunday, May 8, 2022.

Born in New York City, NY, December 21, 1930, daughter of the late William Robert and Rose McLaughlan Boehning, Barbara was raised in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, NY, having lived for many years in Yonkers, NY, and Raritan Township, NJ, prior to moving to Warren in 2016.

Graduating from St. Barnabas High School in the Bronx in 1948, she would continue on to attain her BA in English from Mt. St. Vincent College in 1952. It was during her senior year at college where she would win the prestigious Prix de Paris writing contest, earning a job working for Vogue magazine as a copywriter.

Witty and sociable, Barbara made friends easily wherever she went and carried herself in a manner that reflected her catholic upbringing, putting God first in all her affairs. It was while she was taking a graduate level history class at Fordham University in early 1954, where she would meet a young teacher, Mr. Francis Xavier Holbrook, who himself was furthering his education. History was made in that history class as the pair fell deeply in love and after a short courtship, married on August 21, 1954, at St. Barnabas Church in Woodlawn, officiated by Msgr. George F. Brennan.

Their blessed union would bring them six children-Elizabeth, William, Francis Emmett, Jacqueline, Matthew, and Luke-all who were the recipients of their mother’s gentle push and steadfast desire for them to receive as much education as possible. In the Holbrook home, going to college was not an option, but just what would happen after they each graduated high school. Barbara was known to be there for her children in many ways, being a confidant, mentor, and friend to them, as well as their friends. Her non-judgmental attitude made her a person that everyone would gravitate towards for guidance and advice.

A hidden feminist and renaissance woman all rolled together, Barbara encouraged her daughters and their young friends to never let anything hold them back. Following her own advice, it was at the age of forty when Barbara learned how to drive with Elizabeth, who was going for her driving permit. This opportunity was not afforded to Barbara when she was a young woman growing up in the Bronx; she (and Elizabeth) passed with flying colors!

Reading and writing continued to be passions for Barbara throughout her life, and she very rarely missed the New York Times crossword puzzle on Sunday. She was an accomplished knitter and was very involved with her husband at the Hunterdon County Senior Center, where she started the book club as well as participated in writing classes; this was all in addition to helping plan and execute many other functions at the center, all which were designed to help the seniors live an enjoyable life while also solving practical problems faced during one’s, “Golden Years.”

Having a voracious faith, Barbara was a longtime communicant and attendee of daily mass at St. Magdalen Church in Flemington, NJ, as well as a faithful member of St. Paul the Apostle Church when she lived in Yonkers. She lived with the words of John 3:16-17 echoing through her heart, as well as through her actions: For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

 Rest in eternal peace and life, Barbara, and receive the crown of righteousness from the Lord, the righteous judge, that is promised to all who have longed for his appearing.

In addition to her parents, Barbara joins in heaven her beloved husband of sixty years, Francis Xavier Holbrook, who died in 2014.

Surviving are her children and their spouses, Elizabeth and Rich Palluzi, William Holbrook, Francis Holbrook, Jacqueline and Bruce Barton, Mathew Holbrook and Stacey Begin, and Luke and Jenn Holbrook; her grandchildren, Laurel Palluzi, Grant Palluzi, Alana Holbrook, Leo Holbrook, Laura Holbrook, Samuel Holbrook, Jackson Holbrook and Lydia Holbrook; her brother, William Boehning; several nieces, nephews, and extended family; and many dear friends.

The family would like to extend a special word of thanks to all of Barbara’s caregivers over the past several years whose love and genuine care of Barbara was so noticed and appreciated.

Barbara will lie in repose on Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Monsignor Sylvester J. Cronin will take place on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at The Church of St. James, 184 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Monday morning at 10:15 a.m.

Entombment will follow at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Barbara’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”