Obituary of Barbara Ann Stevenson

Barbara A. Stevenson (née Heckel), 77, of Madison, died on December 30, 2015 at the Berkeley Heights Nursing Home. Born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Barbara resided in San Francisco, California before moving to Madison 47 years ago. Barbara earned her B.S. degree in Home Economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1959. She worked as a Home Economist in Oakland, CA for 5 years. Upon moving to New Jersey, she was a devoted stay-at-home mom for 18 years, and worked as an Editorial Assistant/Receptionist for the Madison Eagle newspaper for 22 years, before retiring in April 2008. Barbara was a member of St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Madison Downtown Development Committee (1989-1995), and was Chairwoman of the Madison Downtown Development Commission (1992-1994). Barbara was awarded the Edgar A. Ferdon Public Service Award on December 4, 1997 for her five years of service as Founder, Trustee, and Market Manager of the Madison Farmers Market and the North Jersey Farmers Market Council. She was an avid reader, gardener, volunteer, and worldwide traveler. Barbara is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, George “Jerry” G. Stevenson, and her devoted sons, David Stevenson and his wife, Toria, of Summit, NJ, and Mark Stevenson and his wife, Eleanor, of Durham, NC. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Bridget, Naomi, Sam, and Georgie. Family and friends are welcome to gather on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 4-8pm at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison. A Memorial Mass for Barbara will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 10:00am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Interment of her ashes will be private at St. Vincent’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations in memory of Barbara can be made to: Madison Eagle Christmas Fund, PO Box 2, Madison, NJ 07940.