Barbara Zaleski

Barbara Ann Zaleski, formerly of Milltown, passed away on May 21,2022, at Complete Care of Westfield. Born on May26,1945, to Marie Blakeney and Alexander Karsh she spent he childhood in Jersey City and graduated from Dickinson High School. Her first job was at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City.


Barbara spent summers in Milltown with her sister's family and cousins where she met the love of her life, Don "Z" Zaleski. They married on April 23, 1966, and lived in North Brunswick briefly until they settled in Milltown.


Barbara worked for Boy Scouts of America in North Brunswick for many years until they relocated to North Carolina. After that she had clerical jobs in the area, most recent being Feller & Feist and the Milltown Public Library. Following a stroke in 2014 Barbara lived at Willow Creek in Somerset until its closure following Hurricane Ida in 2021.


Barbara did beautiful handwork and crafts, receiving many awards for her counted cross stitch creations at the Middlesex County Fair each year as well as her jelly and magic cookie bars.
She loved Mickey Mouse and had an extensive collection of memorabilia and all kinds of mice knick-knacks.


Barbara was associated with the Silhouettes Drill Team in the 1960's. She was a cheerleading
advisor for the Rangers Athletic Club when Don was a coach for its football program. She loved kids and was very close to her cousins' children and grandchildren.

Barbara was an active and faithful member of the United Methodist Church of Milltown. She will be greatly missed by her church family.


Barbara was predeceased by her parents and she faithfully cared for her husband until his death in
2008.


She is survived by her sister Carol Mahon Reiner, niece Karen Kiss, nephews Robert Mahon Jr. and Timothy Mahon and their families. Also surviving are her godchildren Kirsten Szot Mizerak and Frankie Smaltino, many loving cousins and her caregivers Elsie, Frank and Robyn.


A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 28th, 11:00 am, at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St.-at Riva Avenue, Milltown. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Burial Park in East Brunswick. Friends and relatives may call on Saturday starting at 9:00 am until the start of the service. In lieu of flowers donations to the UMC-Milltown Organ Fund would be greatly appreciated.

You may sign the online condolence "guestbook" at www.crabiel.com