Barbara Sue Wahlers, 79, of Cranbury, New Jersey passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2017, at home in her beloved village of Cranbury. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1937, she was the daughter of Frederic Albert Mann and Beatrice Mae Mathisen Mann. She graduated from The Faulkner School for Girls in Chicago in 1955 and Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1959. While at Wilson, she earned a BA in Art History, loved acting in stage performances, and was an avid bridge player.
Married to Dietrich Fredric Wahlers on October 16, 1959. Barbara taught school in Glen Bernie, Maryland and later in Summit, New Jersey. She preferred second grade because her students could put on their winter boots without any assistance!
Barbara’s passions centered on her family, community, and history. She enjoyed organizations with short business meetings and holiday meals with homemade pies that included her famous “hard sauce”. She loved sleep-overs with her grandchildren, playing the “cheese game” at family dinners and storytelling at bedtime. Some of her favorite meals were BLT’s on toasted wheat bread from Teddy’s and well done lamb chops at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
While living in Upper Arlington, Ohio, Barbara was a Cub Scout Den Leader and elementary school classroom mother. The family later moved to Circleville, Ohio where Barbara restored our nineteenth century farm house. The house had solid eighteen-inch brick walls, black walnut trim and staircases cut from trees on the property. At the time, there was no plumbing, only an outhouse out back. Ever the animal lover, three stray puppies showed up and quickly became part of the family!
She was baptized and a confirmed member of the Presbyterian Church and served on the Brainerd-Westminster Cemetery Board. Barbara was an active member of the Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society for many years. She enjoyed organizing and setting up various exhibits. To celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth, she played Alexander Hamilton in the play “Preface to a Battle”, presented on location in Cranbury. She was an active member of the Cranbury Woman’s Club and Princeton Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Previously, she was Chapter Regent of the Saddle River Chapter of the DAR, and served as New Jersey DAR State Chairwoman-Room Memorial Continental Hall.
While her sons attended The Hun School of Princeton, Barbara was active within the Hun School community. She enjoyed organizing and participating in the many fund raising events. She served as President of the Parents’ Association and also as Parent Association Representative to the Board of Directors.
Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Dietrich; two sons and a daughter-in-law; Robert and wife Linda Harrigan Wahlers, grandson Declan; and son Peter, grandsons Ryan, Mason, and granddaughter Lauren and the children’s mother Melissa Mae Brubaker Wahlers.
Services will be private for the family at Barbara’s request.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara Wahlers’ memory to:
The Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society Endowment Fund (CHPS Endowment Fund)
History Center, 6 South Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, Hightstown, NJ.
