Barbara Lennon-6-24-2024

The beautiful, Barbara Bartee Lennon, was born on October 19, 1938, in Long Branch, NJ, to the late Augustus and Dorothy Mae Bartee. She was the first child of 6 siblings. Barbara was the epitome of beauty, class, and grace throughout her life. As a child, she was baptized at Second Baptist church, in Asbury Park, NJ. She stood in her faith in Christ, as a child of God.

Barbara's childhood education was completed at Long Branch High school where she made history as the first Black cheerleader in the 1950s; and she was also crowned Queen of Monmouth County in 1954. These were notable historic moments and crowning achievements.

After high school, she moved to NYC, later met Charles Lennon, and they soon married. Through this union, they had four children: Tracey, Tanya, Turia and Tyra.

Barbara eventually moved back to Long Branch, NJ and worked at M.C.C.A.P., a community action program and worked as an administrative assistant for several years. She later worked as a legal administrative assistant for Shea and Gould law firm in NYC for several years before she retired.

Barbara had many hobbies that included: traveling abroad to Paris jazz festivals in Europe, seeing Broadway shows, and spending time with her family and friends. She never met a stranger and became lifelong friends with so many people along her travels around the world. Barbara's favorite vacation place was Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard, where she frequented every summer. She loved to cook and host fabulous parties for family and lots of friends. Barbara had a love for decorating with extraordinary taste. She enjoyed painting and was quite artistic.

Barbara also loved to shop and knew the locations of every Macy's, Lord and Taylor's, and Bloomingdale’s. She had a distinct love for the arts and often organized trips to Alvin Ailey dance theater and Broadway shows that family and friends looked forward to attending with her. Through the years, she enjoyed going to the Long Branch library weekly. Overall, you could always find her enjoying moments with her grandchildren, four daughters, sisters, family and friends.

Barbara had a wealth of wisdom, a great sense of humor that kept friends and family laughing all the time. She had a kindhearted spirit and was quite the conversationalist.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles and a brother George Bartee.

She leaves to cherish her memory her legacy of four daughters: Tracey Lennon, Tanya Lennon, Turia Lennon and Tyra (Kevin) Walker; Three Grandchildren: Omar Smith, Imani (Brianne) Trent, and Nia Walker; 4 siblings: Joan Minor, Gloria Wright, Carole Lawrence, and Gus Bartee; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.