Barbara K Eicher passed away peacefully on the afternoon of May 23, 2023, at Menno Haven in Chambersburg, PA.
Born September 9, 1928, in Hackensack, NJ she was the daughter of the late John and Dorothea (Steger) Fletcher.
Raised in Harrington Park, NJ, she graduated from Dumont High School, and attended Trenton State Teachers College. There she met Bob Eicher (a returning WW2 veteran, music education major, and future husband), and graduated with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education.
Barbara and Bob were happily married on March 18, 1951, and moved to Caldwell, NJ where they raised their three children, and enjoyed the close-knit neighborhood of Welshman Court for 60 plus years.
Barbara was a kindergarten teacher for 40 years with most of that time spent at Brookdale Ave. School in Verona, NJ. She saw self-worth and potential in every child coming through the doors of her kindergarten classroom, and in 1991 she received the State of NJ Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching.
From 1953 on, Barbara, along with her husband Bob, were active members of the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell. She served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher, and was a devoted member of the handbell choir. It was obvious to those who knew her that Barbara genuinely loved the fellowship of her church friends and enjoyed the various Bible studies and committees on which she served.
Following her retirement, Barbara was active in community organizations as well. She was a dedicated volunteer at Mountainside Hospital for over 30 years, and a driver for the Red Cross. She also volunteered at the Caldwell Library and was a Docent at the Turtle Back Zoo. Consequently, Barbara was named Woman of Achievement by the West Essex Women’s Club and was also the recipient of a Lifetime of Achievement Award.
Barbara enjoyed playing tennis, time spent swimming at Cape Cod, and especially picnics…even in winter. She instilled in her children an incredible sense of faith in God, and a deep spirit of family unity.
She is survived by three children, Jill Thompson (Wally) of Waynesboro, PA, John Eicher (Tammy) of Mt. Juliet, TN, Kathy Siegrist (Larry) of Rockaway, NJ along with eight grandchildren; Matthew Thompson, Jordon Thompson, Peter Thompson, Dennis Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Tim Eicher, David Eicher, Mark Eicher and thirteen great-grandchildren, plus her much loved nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eicher (1988), and her sisters Dorothy Mohrman, and Joan Krivak.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 3, 2023 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell, NJ and family will be receiving friends an hour prior to the service.
In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association online here.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, is assisting with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at the funeral home’s website.
