BARBARA EVELYN GEMENDEN – Obituary
Barbara Evelyn Gemenden (nee Moore), age 85, passed away on December 9, 2024, in Washington Township, NJ. Born on June 16, 1939, in Philadelphia, PA, Barbara’s life was a tapestry of love, family, and community involvement that left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Barbara’s journey through life was marked by her deep connection to the communities she called home. She was raised in Philadelphia, where she spent her early years, before moving to Oaklyn and then Clayton, NJ, where she began to build her roots. However, it was in Franklinville that Barbara truly put down her roots, living there for most of her life and creating a lasting impact in the area. In 2019, Barbara returned to Clayton, where she spent the final five years of her life, finding peace and comfort in the place she had long considered home. Each of these towns held a special place in her heart, and Barbara’s legacy is woven into the fabric of the communities where she lived, loved, and raised her family.
In 1959, Barbara married the love of her life, Phillip James Gemenden, with whom she shared 54 years of marriage until his passing in 2013. Together, they raised two wonderful children, Clinton James Gemenden (Sharon) and Kimberly Sue Prats (Miguel). Barbara’s role as a mother was paramount in her life, and she extended her nurturing spirit to her grandchildren, Alexandria K. Polidoro, Colton J. Gemenden (Erika), and Madison L. Prats, as well as her great-grandchildren, Jacob Daniel Polidoro and Evanna May Gemenden. She was the loving sister of Jacqueline Ambrosia (Carmen) and was predeceased by her parents, James and Bertha (nee Simmeth) Moore.
Barbara’s love for her family was matched by her dedication to her professional life. While she cherished her years as a stay-at-home mom, she later joined the workforce as a cafeteria staff member for Franklin Township Public Schools, an office worker at Progressive Oil in Franklinville, and eventually as an office manager at Star Gas, a position she held from 1978 until her well-deserved retirement in 2000.
Retirement allowed Barbara to explore her creative passions. She painted with a group of friends and found solace in ceramics, crafting beautiful pieces that reflected her artistic soul. An avid reader, she could often be found lost in the pages of a good book, and her love for crocheting brought comfort and beauty to her home and to those she loved. Barbara also maintained a charming flowerbed, a testament to her belief in the simple joys of life.
Travel was another passion of Barbara’s, and she cherished the adventures she embarked on with Phillip. Two six-month trips to Alaska stood out as some of their most treasured memories, a testament to their shared love of nature’s beauty. At home, Barbara’s affection was shared with her beloved poodles and yorkies, who were her constant companions and brought her immense joy.
Services are private at the convenience of the family under the direction of the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME of Clayton. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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