Barbara Jane Michael (née McDavitt), 74, of Green Brook, NJ, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 20, 2026, at Morristown Medical Center.

Born on February 15, 1952, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, NJ, Barbara was raised in Elmwood Park. She graduated from East Paterson Memorial High School in 1970, where she proudly served as cheer captain and earned the School Spirit Award. She later attended Bergen County Community College. In 1980, she settled in Green Brook, where she built a full and meaningful life dedicated to her family and town.

Barbara spent 17 years working in sales at Verizon prior to her retirement, and most recently worked as a bookkeeper for Primavera Regency. Deeply devoted to her community, she served for several years as President of the Green Brook School District Board of Education, ran the Green Brook Summer Children’s Recreation Program for several summers, served as a Class Mom throughout her daughters' elementary school years, and was an Election Board Member. A woman of deep faith, she was a dedicated parishioner of St. Luke's Catholic Church in North Plainfield and a longtime member of the church's Couples Club.

Her greatest joy was her family and time spent with close friends. Barbara spent her summers blissfully floating in Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. She also loved shopping, testing her luck on trips to Atlantic City, playing BINGO, and attending tricky trays.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Nathan McDavitt (d. 2002) and Louise McDavitt (d. 1994), as well as her nephew, Ryan Michael (d. 2003).

She is survived by her beloved husband, Edward A. Michael, Jr.; her daughters and their spouses, Kristen Bannon (husband Jonathan), Katherine Michael, Denise Clayton (husband Jeff), and Debra Bianco (husband Robert); her grandchildren, Kyle Clayton (wife Kelly), Natalie Bannon, and Ashley Bannon; her great-grandchildren, Avery, Lily, and Bryce Clayton; and her sisters, Ellen Mortensen and Susan Straffin.

Service Details

Visitation: Friday, August 28, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Higgins Home For Funerals, located at 752 Mountain Blvd, Watchung, NJ 07069.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 9:30 AM at St. Luke's Catholic Church, located at 300 Clinton Ave, North Plainfield, NJ 07063.