Barbara (nee Handshuh) Gifford 79 of Wall Township passed away on Sunday December 4, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune with her family by her side.

Barbara was born in Salamanca, NY and raised in Newark, NJ. She was a graduate of Our Lady of the Valley High School, Orange and from Newark State College with a teaching degree. Barbara moved to Wall Township in 1961 when she married Albert Gifford. She had taught in Shark River Hills grammar school for several years before taking time off from teaching to raise her 2 sons Thomas and William. Barbara returned to teaching in 1982 at St. Rose Grammar School where she mostly taught the 5th grade for 30 years. She was a member of the Pride of Wall Seniors, enjoyed doing ceramics, reading, watching Christmas movies, playing Bunko and traveling. The most important thing in Barbara's life were her grandchildren.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Albert in 2009. She is survived by her loving sons and their wives, Thomas and Jill Gifford of Spring Lake and William and Lorraine Gifford of Wall; three cherished grandchildren Meghan, Jack and Liam. She is also survived by a sister and her husband Patricia and Harold Burd of Point Pleasant as well as many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday December 8 from 4-7 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals. A funeral service will be held 11 am at the funeral home on Friday December 9, 2016. Interment will follow at Brig Gen William C Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown. To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.



Published in Asbury Park Press on Dec. 6, 2016