Barbara H. Leddy (nee Brophy), 87, of Old Tappan, formerly Norwood, died peacefully on Sept. 29th, 2023. Barbara was born in Weehawken, NJ on10/18/35 to Helen and Nick Brophy. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her especially her six children Kathy Leddy, Kerry Malawista (Alan Heilbron), Carol Duffy (Bill Duffy), Maryellen Hanley (Joe Hanley), Karen Leddy (Mike Pilsbury) and Bobby Leddy.
She lived a full and interesting life. She grew up in Weehawken with her sister Maureen DiStaulo (Cozy) and brother Jim Brophy (Bev); living in a multifamily house with her Kinsey cousins who she loved like brothers. She attended nursing school where she would meet some of her lifelong friends, including Mary Weinstein. At 24 she married Joe Farrell, an Exxon Executive. In1964 she and Joe had a daughter Maryellen. She was widowed in 1965 at the age of 30 and then at 38 (1973) she married Bob Leddy, a home improvement contractor, gaining 5 more kids- Kathy, Kerry, Carol, Karen and Bobby. Highlights of their life together included the many large family gatherings at their house in Norwood as well as the numerous family jaunts into NYC for dinner out and a Broadway show. They traveled the world and often bought along their children and their spouses as well as their grandchildren. She embraced her blended large family and that love also extended to her nieces and nephews; Joanne (Fred), Chuck (Natalie), Sharon (Jared) and Cory (Paul).
Throughout her adult life she continued with her nursing career and transitioned to the role of a school nurse, retiring from Harrington Park school district in 1999. But her most joyful role in life was being a grandmother to her 17 grandchildren Sarah, Billy (Suzy), David (Alexis), Meaghan, Anna (Dani), Hannah, Ryan, Nellie, Peter, Myles, Emma, Rhys, Jack, Liza, Ella, Ian and Emmett. She adored her 1-yr old great-granddaughter Isabelle and looked forward to the arrival of a second great granddaughter due this February. For the last 18 years she proudly drove a car with the license plate 17GRDKDS.
She had many hobbies and interests. She loved playing tennis in her younger years and continued to enjoy watching the sport live or on TV. She loved mahjongg and taught the game to many. When she became ill 20 months ago her grandkids joined her for weekly mahjongg games via ZOOM. She played canasta and always had a good book to read. She enjoyed going to Ocean Grove with friends and family. She was always on the go, which often included spending time with her sister Maureen, lunching and traveling with her life-long friends and wintering at her home in Florida. Her family and friends will remember her for her warm smile, her unwavering love, and her ability to shop.
Services are planned for Saturday October 21.
Visitation from 1:30 – 3:30 PM,
Memorial service at 3:30 PM
Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale, NJ. (www.pizzifuneralhome.com)
Barbara It was wonderful to know you as a Neighbor in Norwood you were so kind and generous to all I have fond memories of you .May you rest in Peace in Eternal Life
Barbara was a close and long time friend to Eleanor Gallagher who passed January 2022. It feels good to know they can once again bargain shop together and see Broadway shows. May her memory be a blessing.
Barbara where do I start? Well when Joe and Maryellen got married our families were joined together. From the moment I met you I knew you were a very special lady. You welcomed us Brits into your home warmly and with grace. Family life was clearly so very important to you and now I was a part of this. Martin and I flew in on Boxing Day and we travelled straight to yours and you even had arranged for us to have ‘ the family Christmas Sweater’! Martin and I met you in London when you came over for a city trip it was such fun until some numpty stole your purse. Still you took it all in your stride. Trips from the UK to Bolmer Farm Road always saw you drive down to catch up with us; you were always hungry to hear our latest news. My father always told me “To be interesting you have to be interested”. You never got to meet Joe and I’s father you’d have got on like a house on fire. You lived by those words. We shall miss you. Until we meet again. Julie x
I just read this, so sorry o hear that Barbara has passed away. I know her from my wallpaper store in Norwood, and from
Gino of Rapunzel. Even though years have passed, I remember her with loving memories of a really nice person.