Name: Visitation for Barbara A. Curran
Start: 2022-02-03T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-02-04T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home - Summit

First woman to serve in all three branches of NJ government, 81, 'a pioneer and a legend in her field' On the morning of January 29th, God called home to rest the Honorable Barbara A. Curran. Barbara was known by many names, including Babs, Judge, and Muffet, but she most cherished the monikers, Mom and Grandma. Born August 26, 1940 to Edward and Theresa Curran, Barbara was raised in New York and New Jersey. Barbara is a graduate of Saint Mary of the Woods College and holds a Masters degree from Syracuse University and a JD from Seton Hall School University. Barbara was a pioneer and a legend in her field. She broke glass ceilings for generations of women to follow. While trail blazing professionally, Barbara raised her daughter as a single mother. She was the first woman to serve in all three branches of the NJ government. She was elected to four terms in the NJ legislature and served as a member of the Cabinet for two NJ Governors. Barbara retired in 2000 after a remarkable tenure on the bench as a Judge in the New Jersey Superior Court. After decades of public service, Barbara most cherished time with her daughter Katie, and son-in-law Patrick Darcy, as well as her four beloved grandchildren, Duke, Marrin, Lilah and Moira. In her retirement, she could also be found having lunch with friends at Baltusrol, holding meetings at the Hat Tavern, spending time on the Jersey Shore and Cape Cod, all while sipping a cup of warm English Breakfast tea. Barbara was a voracious reader until the very end, and she never missed an opportunity to send a handwritten note to celebrate and recognize the achievements and milestones of her loved ones. Barbara is survived by her daughter Katie's family, her sister Terry (Jimmy Constantine) and nieces Annie, Patsy, Susan and Kristen, She is predeceased by her sister Patsy and is survived by Patsy's children, Michelle, Noel and Chris. She will also be missed by many friends that she considered family and countless colleagues. Barbara was and will continue to be our true North as she has bestowed us all with enduring love and lasting life lessons. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to one of Barbara's most cherished causes. Our intention is to set up scholarships in her name at No Greater Sacrifice https://nogreatersacrifice.org/ and St. Vincent Academy in Newark NJ: https://www.svanj.org/. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022, from 4:00-7:00 pm at Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home, 299 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 am on Friday, February 4, 2022, at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 306 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901. Interment will be private. Bradley, Brough & Dangler Funeral Home 299 Morris Avenue Summit, NJ 07901 (908)273-2323

Published by The Star-Ledger from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2022.

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Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Curran

Sponsored by The Family.

6 Entries

Muffet was always a presence in her time at Saint Mary-of-the Woods: Part of a strong journalism department, student government president (I think) and mentor to all of us in her little sister class. Her lymphedema never interfered with her smile and she was a firm, yet intuitive teacher when she returned to the Woods after her time at Syracuse to help fill the vacancy of the department chair and later college president, S. Jeanne Knoerle. We all loved her and never forgot her.

Clara McKenna SMW'64

May 11, 2022

I loved serving with Barbara in the New Jersey legislature.She was a good friend and an outstanding public servant. Our prayers are with her and her family.

C.LouisBassano

Work

February 1, 2022

Judge Barbara was a dear colleague serving on the Board of Trustees at CASA of NJ. She guided and provided leadership for many of the new trustees like myself. She always provided support, encouragement and positive feedback and encouraged everyone around her to build their capacity. We at the board are so saddened for her sudden loss. My respect to her family and loved ones.

Zeynep Ercan

Other

February 1, 2022

Truly in awe of her many accomplishments, I am going to miss getting grilled on the legal issues of the day. She had a special gift of posing cutting follow-up questions through a smirk. I remain totally out-matched by and smitten with her.
Rest easy, BAC

Michael Hynes

February 1, 2022

My most sincere sympathy to Barbara Curran's family and, most especially, to her daughter of whom she was so very proud. I had the privilege to worked for her when she was President of the Public Utility Commission (when there were only 3 commissioners). She was a good President - listened to staff, asked good questions. Lots of major issues occurred during her time there - cable & solid waste regulation were added, Bell Telephone/ATT broke up. She cared about doing the right thing for everyone. I note that the agency back then was controlled by men. That old boys' network was really tough on President Curran. Yet, she handled them with class. President Curran appointed the first woman to ever be a Director. She also appointed me to be a Deputy Director and then a Director. These actions helped me progress quickly in my career as a public servant. I will always be grateful to her. She was a fine person.
Again, my most sincere condolences.

Jeanne M Fox

January 31, 2022

Barbara was a pure delight! It was a gift to know her and she has left an incredible legacy as she has accomplished so much in her lifetime.
May she Rest In Peace. She will be dearly missed

Maureen Caffrey

Friend

January 31, 2022

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