Pictured: Barbara and Carolyn Smith

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I imagined that we’d all be together celebrating at Barbara Bennett’s retirement party…someday. She loved her job as Rutherford Recreation Director so much – her funeral procession passed by Borough Hall and Memorial Park, where she spent so very much of her time.

Her Director of Recreation desk nameplate was with her at her wake. She truly cared. Mayor DeSalvo offered a joke about Barbara to lighten the mood so as to prevent everyone from losing it when he had to address Barbara’s passing at a recent Council meeting, but that attempt
didn’t keep tears out of that room. Barbara touched everyone.
 

She loved her position as Director of Rutherford’s Department of Recreation, for she always went above and beyond – adding special ‘Barbara touches’ – and she attended *everything.* Barbara was always smiling; she was so welcoming and friendly, always remembering names and asking about people’s families and how they were doing.
 

Barbara wanted everyone to be happy. She always had dishes of candy in the Rec Office for visitors to enjoy. She even brought candy to an occasional department heads meeting. She loved to celebrate birthdays by having everyone gathered sing, “Happy Birthday.” Rutherford
may be the only place in the world where one person could have multiple birthdays a year…because Barbara was known to celebrate some people’s birthdays over and over. She told me she did this because birthdays make people happy. She and her staff also decorated the Rec
Office for every holiday to spread cheer.
 

She had a unique and contagious laugh. Word is that neighbors could hear her laugh around the block. She loved to have fun and tried to make sure everyone was having a good time.
 

She was a proud grandmother! I remember that she was just elated when her grandchildren were born. I learned from her staff that she loved sea horses. Every time I see one, I think of her. When I became Rec Liaison, I was so impressed with everything that Barbara’s Rec Department did: sports programs, classes, every borough-sponsored event, preschool, Senior Citizen groups (Golden Agers and Guardsmen), Summer Day Camps, the Exceptional Individuals Program. And more! I was excited to create the Rec facebook page to share with people the good work that the Rec Department did under Barbara’s leadership, and shared all
that she did at every Council meeting. Her office was always bustling with activity and meetings regarding issues pertaining to coaches, Ladies Softball, Park Rangers, Training, etc.
 

Barbara liked to tell jokes (and sometimes solicited help in delivering those jokes) to people while they waited in lines for the Easter egg hunts to begin or while they were waiting on line for the hayrides at the Halloween Spooktacular. Barbara was so good with members of the Exceptional Individuals (differently-abled) program. She knew all the members’ names. She really cared about giving them fun things to do
each night they met. And, she even climbed inside a truck at our Farmers’ Market to get pumpkins that were donated for the members to decorate. Can you just picture it?

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Barbara handled serving in one of the most difficult and demanding positions in the borough – and all that that entails – by sharing a smile with everyone. I know she is getting a big kick out of the overwhelming display of appreciation for her on social media.
 

Barbara helped make Rutherford’s 4 th of July celebrations special, from the early morning annual Baby Parade to musical entertainment and fireworks upon nightfall. I spent so much time with her at events that I don’t know if I could come up with a complete list of everything, but some of my favorite memories include the Summer Kick- off/Cruisin’ on the Ave, putting Easter eggs all over Tryon and Tamblyn, enjoying Summer
Concerts, Students in Government Day, Walks to School with the Mayor, serving food at the Exceptional Individuals Holiday Party and Bowling Banquet, and the Holiday Parade and Festival. Barbara was involved with the Mayor’s Family Bike Rides, 3rd grade bike rodeo, the
skating ‘rink,’ National Night Out, memorial sports awards programs, Arbor Day celebrations, Little League Opening Day, Senior Olympics, 5k runs, running trips to Broadway shows, etc.
 

Strange to say, but Barbara’s wake and funeral were beautiful with their special touches. Three things struck me that I heard at her funeral.
Her daughter came home from school one day and told Barbara that her classmate didn’t have a snack. From that day on, Barbara packed two snacks. That was so Barbara.
 

Her son shared that the best piece of advice he ever got was from a friend who lost a parent. His friend’s advice was to spend as much time with your parents as you can, because you don’t know how much time you have. Barbara’s son said that he would go over to his parents
house in the evenings just to hang out…because he loved being with them.

I’m sure Barbara would have considered that her greatest tribute.
Her daughter overheard a child at a Rutherford parade say to his mother while referring to Barbara, “she’s at everything.” Yes, she was. And Barbara was wonderful with children. Why she was taken at the young age of 60 is not for us to understand. My husband and I volunteered at the Food Pantry (located next to the Rec Dept in Borough Hall) after attending herwake. I couldn’t help but think that Barbara should be down the hall, for it was a Wednesday night, when the Rec department stayed open late. Apparently heaven needed to have more fun. Rutherford now has an angel looking over us. Thanks for the memories and keeping us
entertained, Barbara. You continue to make us smile.

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​By Carolyn Smith, Council Liaison to Rutherford Recreation Department 2015-2016