Barbara J. Koury

Barbara J. Koury, formerly of Basking Ridge, Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother

Barbara J. Koury, of Lincroft, formerly of Tom’s River and Basking Ridge, passed away peacefully at home on September 25, 2017, with her family by her side, as always.

Barbara was married to the love of her life, Carl E. Koury, for sixty-two wonderful years.  Together, they lived in Basking Ridge for over thirty years where they raised two daughters, Lisa and Leslie.  A devout Catholic, Barbara was a communicant at Saint Mary of the Lake Church in Lakewood and the Church of Saint James in Basking Ridge.  Barbara was an avid and competitive golfer and enjoyed playing in tournaments with her husband, Carl.  She also treasured playing golf with her best friends.  Other pastimes she enjoyed included reading history books and the New York Times, relaxing at the beach, oil painting, gardening and playing bridge.  She was a volunteer for the Veterans Administration in Lyons and was a member of the Somerset Hills Bonafides.  Barbara fully enjoyed her travels to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. She always looked forward to the annual family tradition of a trip at Christmastime to Radio City Music Hall and Central Park with her daughter Leslie, son-in-law John and grandson Koury.

Barbara's greatest joy in her life was her grandson Koury.  She would often say he was the best and most handsome gift she ever received.  Barbara thoroughly enjoyed the sense of humor she and Koury shared, with both of them giggling together at secret jokes.  The two of them regularly engaged in discussions on politics, current events, movies and history.  Barbara enjoyed drawing, a talent her grandson also shares.  

Barbara loved spending time with her daughters and family.  As a mother, Barbara was ahead of her time, instilling the important concepts of independence, self-sufficiency and education in her daughters.  A child could not ask for a more loving and selfless mother and female role model than Barbara.

Barbara was blessed to be in remission for over forty years from a highly aggressive case of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer.  At the time of Barbara's recovery from cancer, the Reverend Joseph A.B. Wade, former pastor of the Church of Saint James, believed her dramatic recuperation was a genuine miracle.  

Truly an original "fashionista", she was known for always being beautifully dressed and coordinated to the smallest detail and being perfectly coiffed, whether she was going to the golf course, the beach or a formal affair.   Barbara was the lucky individual with the good fortune to not only be beautiful but also possess and demonstrate genuine kindness, empathy, concern and warmth towards others.  She was a worldly, intelligent, engaging, impish, educated, wonderful and caring woman who easily made many life long friends.

Barbara was born and raised in Torrington, CT and graduated from Torrington High School and St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford.  Prior to her marriage to Carl, she was a nurse at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.  While in Basking Ridge, she was a realtor at Coldwell Banker in Bernardsville. 

Barbara lived a full, fun, rich life in spite of her many health obstacles.  She will be greatly missed by her family who loved her dearly.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Wasilonsky and Mary (Ferency) Wasilonsky and her brother Patrick J. Wasilonsky.  Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Carl, of Colts Neck; daughter Lisa and her husband Don, of Waretown; daughter Leslie and her husband John and  grandson Koury, of Colts Neck, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private Catholic mass and interment was held on September 28, 2017 at Saint Mary of the Lake Church in Lakewood.

Should friends desire, memorial  donations can be made to Rescue Dogs Rock, http://rescuedogsrocknyc.org in Barbara's memory.

 Service Information