Barbara A Jimenez

Barbara Arlene Jimenez, 85, of New Brunswick, NJ passed away on January 26, 2024. She   was born on July 13, 1938, to John Mako and Carmella Perdir in New Brunswick. She grew up in an Italian-Roman Catholic home with her four siblings on Plum Street. After Barbara graduated from St. Peter’s Catholic High School in 1955, she married Reyes “Sam” Tirado Jimenez. Barbara and Sam went on to have four children.   After starting her family, she had a long career working in service at Rutger’s University.

Barbara was a devoted mother with a vibrant and outgoing personality. She was kindhearted and had a great sense of humor. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and unending generosity. Barbara loved to dance. As a young woman, she and Sam enjoyed going out dancing in New York City and at the Spanish Culture Club in New Brunswick. They would also dance the “jitterbug” at home with their children. She was an avid reader and collector.  Barbara frequently attended Native American Powwows, she liked to watch the dances, listen to the music, and collect art. Barbara’s homemade meals like stuffed cabbage, Italian wedding soup and homemade noodles will live on in the hearts of her grand and great-grandchildren who affectionately called her “Grams”. In recent years Barbara was a member of the New Brunswick Senior Center.  She especially looked forward to having “breakfast with the mayor”.  She and her friends took day trips to Atlantic City. Barbara spent her final years surrounded by her family here in New Jersey and visiting loved ones in Florida and Pennsylvania.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband, “Sam” Jimenez, sister, Marion Szalic, and her brother John Mako. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Tina and Harry Rivas, Darlene Jimenez, Deborah Jimenez, and Sammy and Andrea Jimenez; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; and her sisters Patricia Burda, Dorinda Sotello AND step brother Kurt Perez. Barbara’s unexpected death has been deeply felt by all who loved her. We will miss her dearly.