Barbara T. Reardon
(nee Torpey), on July 6, 2015, of Washington Twp. Age 73. Beloved wife of the late John Patrick, Sr. Devoted mother of Julie Anne Shaffer (Michael), John Patrick, Jr. (Kathleen), Sheila Beth Reardon (Edward Olchowicz), Katie Eileen Tagliaferri (Michael), Maureen Therese Fanelle (Anthony) and Amanda Bernadette Reardon. Loving Nana of Matthew, Jenna, Declan, Rocco, Shane, Roman, Sophia and Nicholis. Dear sister of Joe Torpey (Kay), Dan Torpey (Marilyn) and Peggy Davis.

Barbara Reardon, our Mom (or affectionately to us, Mommy), was born in December 1941 to immigrant parents, Beatrice (Duffy) and Martin Torpey, who both hailed from County Mayo, Ireland. She was the second oldest of four children, preceded in birth by her brother Joe and followed by her brother and sister, Dan and Peggy. They did not have much in material possession but they all possessed a strong desire to better their lot in life through diligent work, education and generosity to others.

Mom was a 1959 graduate of Little Flower High Catholic School for Girls in Philadelphia, which she held near and dear throughout her life, both for the educational foundation it provided as well as for her devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “The Little Flower of Jesus,” or simply “The Little Flower.” Mom, like St. Thérèse, had a love of simplicity and a desire to help the “small” and “little” in her world.

In October 1964, Mom and John Patrick Reardon, our Dad, were married in Philadelphia. The following August their first-born, Julie Anne, arrived, followed by John Patrick in October 1968 and Sheila Beth in June 1970. After a lull of several years in which she completed nursing school at The Medical College of Pennsylvania and became a registered nurse, in March 1977, Katie Eileen became the next addition to their burgeoning family, with Maureen Therese and Amanda Bernadette rounding out the crew in October 1979 and November 1981, respectively.

With six children bouncing around the house, life was never slow or uncomplicated for Mom, but she was always certain to hit her marks, even when challenged with the sudden loss of Dad in February 1987. With four children under the age of 18 at that time, and the other two not yet established on their own, Mom kept it all together and gave her mind, body and soul to make sure we had continuity and, most importantly, enduring love and commitment in our lives. Looking back now, we are sure it seemed impossible to her then that she could overcome the challenge before her but she never expressed any contempt for her misfortune.

Mom’s renaissance occurred once she reached even keel in her life in the mid-1990s when she decided to go back to school to complete a bachelor’s degree at Philadelphia University. Over the course of seven or so years, she worked, continued to raise her family and attended classes on nights and weekends because she knew the value an education, even for an experienced professional in the sixth decade of life. Nursing was not only her profession but, consistent with her desire to help others, it was also her passion; it was evident to her that life-long learning was not only beneficial but essential for her in order to continue with the nursing profession. We had a unique and proud moment in May 2003 by turning the tables and watching her graduate, lauding her accomplishment.

Mom’s greatest accomplishment though is one more recent and perhaps one that is shared by many of her contemporaries — that is, becoming Nana. As Nana, Mom’s genuineness and love was absorbed fully and completely by each and every one of her grandchildren. They say that grandchildren are the blessings of a long life but, for our kids, Nana was the blessing of their young lives!

We would like Mom/Nana to be remembered for the simple and giving person that she was, nothing more and nothing less. We hope you never forget her in your thoughts and prayers.

The Reardon Family
July 8, 2015

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday 8:15 – 10:45 am at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM at SS. Peter & Paul RC Church, 362 Ganttown Road, Turnersville, NJ 08012. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to SS. Peter & Paul RC Church at the above address. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com.

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”