Obituary of Barbara Joyce Scheid
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Barbara Joyce Scheid passed away peacefully at her home in West Caldwell, NJ at the age of ninety-one. Barbara was a beloved mother, grandmother, cherished friend, and devoted Catholic. She lived a life full of faith, love, and service, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered by all who knew her.
Born in July 1933, Barbara was raised in Teaneck, NJ, the younger daughter of Helen and Alex Cifra. She attended St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, where she was known for her beautiful singing voice, and later received a teaching degree from William Paterson Teacher’s College in Paterson. She worked as a 2nd grade teacher before marrying her high school sweetheart, John W. Scheid, in 1956. Barbara then set off on her greatest calling in life: raising her 9 children and acting as primary caregiver to John after he became disabled in 1968. Many would have been crushed under this heavy responsibility, but for thirty-three years, Barbara accepted her new role in life with love and grace. With her exceptional strength, she carried her family through a period of uncertainty and heartache, demonstrating the power of optimism in the face of hardship.
Barbara raised her family in the Catholic faith, attending Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell. Here, she immersed herself in the Lord’s work, joining a community of like-minded families that grew into close family friends and a crucial support network for the Scheids. Barbara served as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD Teacher, and youth-group leader, and her seasonal banners brightened up the church from where they hung above the altar. In the 1970’s, she took John and the children to the Marianist Retreat Center in Cape May in the summers, trips that had a powerful and lasting effect on all their lives and provided many happy memories.
Barbara later became a dedicated member of Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell, where she furthered her lay ministry. She shared her lovely voice as a long-standing choir member and cantor, and acted as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and prayer group leader. She was an active participant in RCIA and Cornerstone and, for many years, led the Wednesday Rosary. The Cursillo movement was a passion of hers and she spoke ardently about the retreats she went on with the group, spreading God’s love by encouraging those close to her to join her in deepening their faith. Dedicated to supporting her community, she delivered the Holy Eucharist, groceries, and meals to house-bound members of the church. She attended daily mass and treasured the friendships that she fostered amongst the other attendees. Her involvement in the church was not just a duty, but a calling that brought her immense joy and fulfillment.
Beyond her spiritual contributions, Barbara was an active participant in the Caldwell Women's Club and the Caldwell Garden Club, where she formed strong friendships and contributed to various community initiatives. Her warmth, kindness, and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Barbara truly believed in “paying it forward,” making it a priority to tithe at church and give to numerous organizations that focused on humanitarian efforts and improving the lives of those in need. She was a huge supporter of the arts, public radio and TV, and the local and National Park systems, viewing them as essential programs and services.
Always impeccably dressed in colorful outfits with a matching flower brooch, nothing shone more brightly than her radiant smile and twinkling eyes. As her family grew with the arrival of each new grandchild, Barbara devoted much of her time to caring for them and imparting life’s most important pillars: that of love, empathy, and grace. Luckily for Barbara, the lessons went both ways, and being surrounded by her grandchildren kept her young and energetic. She was fortunate to live with her two youngest grandchildren, Nora and Henry, for the past seventeen years; that kept her on her toes! She enjoyed nothing more than being surrounded by her people and watching her family expand, both in numbers and love to give. Barbara had an extraordinary ability to make those around her feel valued and accepted and she opened her home and her heart to any and everyone.
Barbara was an avid gardener and yearned to know the name of every plant she encountered. While raising her family, there were always flowers in bloom around the property and a vegetable garden in the works. She was ahead of her time when it came to caring for Mother Earth, recycling and composting in the 70’s, well before it was “a thing.” She loved playing games with her large family–Rummikub being a favorite–and until recently, was an active member of the Notre Dame Bocce League. As her eyesight and mobility started to fail, Barbara became a devoted viewer of TV crime dramas.
Barbara also enjoyed travelling. She went on a number of European cruises with her sister-and-brothers-in-law and fulfilled her dream of visiting Poland, the birthplace of her maternal grandparents, with a group of Notre Dame parishioners. Over the years, she joined her children and grandchildren on many fun-filled vacations, including holidays to Nantucket, Georgia, London, Las Vegas, Disney World, Virginia, and California; and she looked forward to annual trips to the Jersey Shore with a group of friends.
Barbara was very thankful for all of the people who touched her life over the years and made it so rich and fulfilling.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John W. Scheid, and her son, Michael J. Scheid. She has also reunited with her parents, Helen and Alex Cifra, and her daughter-in-law, Tina Scheid.
Yet, Barbara’s legacy will continue through her children: Barbara (Michael) Preston, Eileen Scheid, John M. Scheid, Mary Zales, Ann (Lawrence) Smith, Kathleen (Jack) Broeils, Jeanne (Celine Fitzpatrick) Scheid, and David H. (Cecelia) Scheid, and her daughter-in-law, Mary-Ann Scheid.
Her spirit further lives on in her twenty-five grandchildren and two great grandchildren: Evan, Mitchell and Alex Preston; Therese, David and Madeline Gonzalez; Cynthia, Robert, John and Samantha Scheid; Emily, Stephanie, Jessica and Brian Zales; Andrew Scheid; Graeme and Julia Smith; Allison, Hannah and Zachary Broeils; Maxwell, Sophia and Grace Reynolds; Nora and Henry Scheid; and William and Valentina Scheid. Each carries forward the lessons of kindness, compassion, and faith that Barbara instilled in them.
Barbara will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews and their families, as well as her sister, Helene Alameda, and sister-in-law Eileen Kopczynski.
The Scheid family invites all who knew her to join in celebrating her life at a Memorial Mass, taking place at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Notre Dame Church, North Caldwell, followed by a repast downstairs.
Barbara would want everyone to wear something bright or colorful instead of just black, if you are comfortable doing that. As we gather to honor her memory, let us remember her for the devotion she shared, the sparkle in her eye, and the difference she made in the lives of so many. Barbara will be dearly missed but forever cherished in our hearts. Her absence will be deeply felt in the hearts of those she touched, but our grief is a sign of how much she was loved and all the love she gave back in return.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be made in Barbara's name to Notre Dame Church, 359 Central Ave, North Caldwell, NJ 07006 or to a charity of your choice, ensuring that her contributions to her community will not be forgotten.
Services are provided by Codey Funeral Home of Caldwell. To share condolences or memories with the family, please visit CodeyFuneralHome.com.