Barbara was born and raised in Ossining, NY to the late De Loss Weyant and Myrtle (Smith) Sleator. She studied Liberal Arts and earned an Associate’s Degree from Westchester Community College, where she met her late husband, James Stephen Connolly. Barbara worked as a paraprofessional at McKeown Elementary School and at Abigail's in Newton for many years.
Barbara had an immense love of life and a great sense of humor. She was deeply dedicated to her family with tremendous love of her grandkids, and surrounded herself with a caring group of friends. Barbara was an avid reader and writer, an incredible cook, and loved listening to music, singing, watching movies, and her kitty, Mobley and past cats. Her sense of style was impeccable and classic; she took great pride in looking and feeling her best.
Barbara always found joy in the little things in life and nature. As a nature lover, she enjoyed walks, hikes, and birds. Barbara was genuinely a compassionate soul. She relished trips with her family to NYC, Notre Dame, Hawaii and the NJ shore, especially Wildwood Crest and Cape May. She regularly attended mass at St Joseph R.C Church in Newton and St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church in Sandyston.
In addition to her husband, Barbara was also predeceased by her father, De Loss Weyant; her mother, Myrtle Sleator; her stepfather, James Sleator; and her brothers, Randy Weyant and Jay Sleator. She is survived by her four children, Scott Connolly and wife, Paula, Chris Dube and husband, Kevin, Erin Williams and Patricia Cleveland and husband, Kenneth; her three siblings, Denise Hill, Rhonda Zeiger, and Dee Weyant Jr.; her grandchildren, Cassidy and husband, Bryan, Sam, Brendan, Christian, Natalie, Rachel, Brett, Mason, Sean and Danny; and her great-granddaughter, Emma June.
A visitation for Barbara will be held on Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, 210 Route 206, Sandyston, NJ, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon.
Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton. Memorial donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, 210 Route 206, Sandyston, NJ 07826. Online condolences may be offered online at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com
