Obituary of Barbara June Reese Howard
Barbara June (Reese) Howard entered eternal rest on Monday, December 30th, 2024 (29th of Kislev, 5785), surrounded by family. She was born on June 20, 1931, in Newark, NJ, to Harry and Florence Reese.
Following graduation from Maplewood’s Columbia High School (1949), she studied at Pembroke College of Brown University, earning her degree in English Literature (1953). While at Brown, she met the love of her life, Murray Horovitz, at the University’s John Hay Library. They were married on June 21, 1953, in Newark, NJ. After their Honeymoon in Bermuda (to which they returned several times), they began married life in Providence, RI. They were blessed with 67 years together and created homes filled with love.
Barbara and Murray moved to Plainfield, NJ, in 1954, living at Beacon Village Apartments, then homes on West Eighth St, and Ravine Road (the former Rushmore estate of The White Fathers of Africa). They planned and built their family home in Warren Township, NJ, and established residence there in 1969. She took great pride in their home and community, contributing to the growth of the thriving town Warren has become today. Barbara, her family, and their friends enjoyed summers at Warren’s Deerwood Swim Club. In 1970, when she and Murray saw the need for Jewish education and social connections, they helped found the Mountain Jewish Community Center, which became Temple Har Shalom. Barbara and Murray remained active members of the congregation for the rest of their lives.
Barbara was a dedicated and lifelong educator. She taught preschool at Plainfield’s YWCA and joined Head Start, the groundbreaking early education program. Her passion for her students was not limited by classroom walls: she mentored students’ families, organized coat drives, and always assisted those in need.
She became an advocate and pioneer for inclusive Special Education where she inspired, encouraged, and enabled those who learn differently. She earned her Masters Degree in Special Education from Rutgers University and her Principal’s Certificate. Barbara’s passion for teaching was extended through tutoring. She was a member of the International Reading Association and Literacy Volunteers of America. After retirement, she established a library at a women’s shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Barbara was devoted to her family and community. A true matriarch, she would teach and foster Jewish traditions and values for her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren with many wonderful holiday celebrations and meals together. She was a community builder, social justice advocate, and a feminist. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters and the National Organization for Women (NOW).
A lover of good food and even better company, Barbara made lasting friendships throughout her life. She was one of “The Smart Chix” a special friends community of retired Warren Educators. She was an avid reader and active book club member. She would be seen attending events at Temple Har Shalom, exercising at Healthy Bones, and attending local Yoga classes. She enjoyed hosting women at their Rosh Chodesh gatherings and luncheons with friends and neighbors. Barbara never missed her standing Friday “maintenance” appointment at her favorite beauty salon; she always dressed in style and accessorized flair.
Barbara and Murray traveled the world, evidenced by dozens of photo albums and journals documenting their trips and cruises to the U.S and British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, England, France, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Russia, and Israel. Together, they enjoyed Broadway theatre, dining out, and entertaining family and friends in their home and on their deck. Later in life, they could be found snuggling together on their den sofa, holding hands and “resting their eyes.”
Barbara is survived by her sister, Isabel Levin (Stanley) of Brookeville, MD; her sons, Steven Howard of Atlanta, GA, and Adam Howard of Provincetown, MA; her daughters: Karen Dolan (Joseph) of Redding, CT, and Lisa Howard (Raymond) of Warren, NJ; eight grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren: Lauren Williams (Matthew) of Arlington, VA and their children Nicholas and Elissa Williams, Matthew Howard of Atlanta, GA, LCDR Andrea Howard US Navy (Emmie Mediate) of Hampton, VA, Anne Dolan of Washington, DC, John Dolan of Hoboken, NJ, LT Daniel Dolan, MD US Navy, Alexandra Lockey of Albany, NY, and LT Benjamin Lockey US Army. Barbara was also beloved by numerous nieces, nephews, and a large chosen family of friends embraced over the years.
Memorial services will be at Temple Har Shalom, 104 Mount Horeb Road, Warren, NJ 07059, with Rabbi Randi Musnitsky officiating on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025, at 10 AM Eastern Time. She will be laid to rest at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.
The services will also be live-streamed for those unable to travel. To view the Memorial Services at Temple Har Shalom, please use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@TempleHarShalom.
Shiva will be observed at the family home on January 2-8, 2025, at 5 p.m. and via Zoom (contact smhlake@gmail.com for the Zoom link). There will not be a Friday evening Shiva – the family will be attending Shabbat Service at Temple Har Shalom.
To honor Barbara’s memory, donations may be made to Atlantic Health Hospice https://www.atlantichealth.org/patients-visitors/donate-volunteer/donate-visiting-nurse.html, Temple Har Shalom https://templeharshalom.org/donate/, or donations payable to the Friends of the Warren Public Library, 42 Mountain Blvd Warren, NJ 07059.
