Obituary of Catherine Ann Barber
After an extraordinary life, Catherine Ann Barber (nee Portley) went home to the loving arms of our Lord on Friday, December 2, 2016. From her family roots in Albany, NY to Montclair, Bay Head, Mantoloking and Ledgewood, NJ, she lived a remarkable 93 years.
Ann was the daughter of the John J. and Marion Coogan Portley, and with her two sisters, Mary and Patricia, was raised in Delmar, New York. In 1950, Ann married James Allyn Gilson in Albany, New York and they moved to Montclair, New Jersey where she lovingly raised four children, James Allyn Gilson, Jr. (Jamie), Cally Ann Gilson, Darcy J. Gilson and Gregory R. Gilson. Catherine lived in Montclair, Bay Head and Mantoloking before recently moving to Ledgewood, NJ.
She graduated from the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. and received a Masters of Education from Columbia University. Ann was a teacher for several years and especially enjoyed substitute teaching at Montclair High School in the early 70's, especially Girl's Gym classes. She then moved to the Jersey Shore she became a realtor working with Van Sciver Realtors in Bay Head and Mantoloking. Ann was an avid tennis player and enjoyed the sport long after she stopped playing competitively.
She was predeceased by her beloved husbands, James Allyn Gilson, Sr. and Paul Alling Barber, her loving daughter, Cally Ann. Surviving are devoted children, James A. Gilson, Jr., Darcy J. Gilson, Gregory R. Gilson, and her step son, Todd Barber. She especially loved her Grandchildren, Jackie Clark, Christina Owens, Trisha Marinaro, Madeleine Gilson, and Amy McHugh, along with her Great Grandchildren Sean, Alyssa, Kathryn, Jericho and Brianna.
A Memorial Mass be announced at a later date. Arrangements in care of the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell, NJ To share a condolence or memory, please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann's Memory to Little Hill Foundation- Alina Lodge, 61 Ward Road, Hardwick, New Jersey 07825.
