Barbara Ann Tinari

Barbara Ann Tinari (Nastro) went to her heavenly reward on March 18, 2023.  She was an extraordinarily courageous woman, maintaining her dignity, joy and faith while dealing with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) – a rare, neurological condition – for the last 11 years. She was well-known for her bright smile, which lit up every room.

Born on April 6, 1946 in Brooklyn, young Barbara loved playing with the chicken feet she got from the market, and no loaf of Italian bread ever came home with the heel uneaten when she was tasked with fetching it from the corner store. Barbara often confided that, because her beloved older brother Buddy was frequently mischievous, she felt she needed to be the “good girl.” This didn’t prohibit her from taking the occasional moonlit swims off Coney Island with her high school friends.

Barbara graduated from James Madison High School and obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Fordham University. She taught kindergarten for many years, first in Indianapolis, then in the Bronx, and, after a respite from teaching to take on full-time mothering, she taught at Far Hills Country Day School and The Pingry School. Barbara cherished the loyal, lifelong friends she made at school and work.

A devoted and wonderful wife for almost 55 years, Barbara met her husband, Frank, a boy from the Bronx, as she waited in line for a ride at Freedomland. Her family told her that Frank wouldn’t keep making the long trek to Brooklyn to court her, but the rest is history. Barbara and Frank enjoyed their first years of marriage together in Indiana where Frank was stationed in the Army and where Barbara found the nighttime crickets to be more disruptive to her sleep than the familiar city noises! Barbara and Frank moved briefly to the Bronx before settling in Florham Park, NJ to raise their three daughters and build their life together. In each of the places she lived, Barbara attracted close friends.

Barbara loved being a mother. She had always wanted six children, but she decided three was just right after having three in less than three years. She deeply loved her daughters, April, Alexandra, and Christa, and was at her most joyful when in their presence. She was a skilled seamstress who lovingly made many a halloween costume, party dress and bedroom curtain. She made sure that the girls had whatever curls or braids they desired, and she was expert at elbowing her way through the NYC crowds to get them a curbside view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Barbara adored being a grandmother. She spoiled her grandchildren, William and Caroline, in every conceivable way. She attended every school play, dance recital, talent show, and football game. She took them skiing every winter where she waited patiently at the bottom of the slope, waving enthusiastically as they made their way down. She provided before and after-care daily to Will and Caroline during their elementary and middle school years and was always at the ready with the right kind of snacks and a willingness to quiz them on whatever subject necessary.

Barbara took pride in being an active member of her local and church communities. She devoted much energy to her roles as PTA President, President of the Florham Park Board of Education, Court Appointed Special Advocate, CCD teacher, Girl Scout leader, Mayor’s Charity Ball coordinator, Antioch leader, Right to Life activist, and Prayer Shawl Ministry founder and coordinator. She and Frank received the 2015 Vivere Christus Award from the Paterson Diocese and the 2019 Richard E. Collier, Jr. Achievement Award from LifeNet, Inc. Through all of Barbara’s achievements and contributions to the community, she maintained a remarkable humility.   

Barbara delighted in gardening, cooking, hosting parties, playing cards, dancing, singing, spending time at the beach, drinking egg creams, and eating ice cream. She loved travel and she and Frank saw the world, beginning with their honeymoon to Italy and a camping trip through Europe. Barbara relished planning adventurous and educational summer vacations for her children and grandchildren. She and Frank shared meaningful experiences as they traveled on parish pilgrimages to France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the Holy Land. Barbara collected nativities and amassed an extensive handcrafted collection, largely from her travels.

Barbara and Frank loved dancing together, and were always the first couple out on the dance floor. In recent years, as her illness progressed and she was no longer able to dance, she and Frank took up water exercises several mornings each week, and took special joy in incorporating a water-rumba at the end of their workout. Most recently, Alexandra and Frank assisted Barbara in the pool as she exercised her legs and enjoyed floating.

Barbara’s faith was strong, and she and Frank attended mass together right until the week before her passing. A few weeks ago, Barbara received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

Barbara is predeceased by her brother, Buddy, and her parents, Alphonso and Ida Nastro for whom she cared in their older ages. She is survived by her husband, Frank, her three daughters, April, Alexandra and Christa, and two grandchildren, William and Caroline. The family is deeply grateful for all the loving care shown to Barbara throughout her illness from family, friends, caregivers and neighbors. Barbara will be missed by all who were touched by her generous heart and kindness.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Thursday from 4-8pm.  Funeral on Friday, assembling at the funeral home at 9am, followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Florham Park at 10am.  Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. 

In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested donations be made to Halos for Angels, Good Counsel Homes, and the Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad, see donation box below for details....

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