Elizabeth Jane (Severn) LaBarbera

Elizabeth "Betty" LaBarbera passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.   Betty was born on December 27, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Charles and Elizabeth Severn.  She was the first born in the family, soon after blessed by a little sister, Carol, and brother, Charles.  They would live in Wilkes-Barre until relocating to Milltown, New Jersey, where Betty would continue to grow throughout her adolescence and into adulthood.

Betty had an exceptional work ethic, always helping her family and working hard in a depressed era.  She had many friends, and her love of skiing was shared by her friends, often gathering together for weekend trips to New England to hit the slopes.  It was there in her early 20's she would meet her future husband and father of her children, Santo LaBarbara, who also shared her love for skiing.  They married on June 2, 1962, in Milltown, New Jersey, and so began their life together, residing in the nearby town of North Brunswick, New Jersey.

Betty continued to work beside Santo at their motel, The Silvercrest Motor Lodge, building the business for many years.  During this time, she gave birth to three children: Susan, Joanne, and Nicholas, continuing to raise them in North Brunswick for the next 11 years, until their decision to divorce forced her to relocate to Clark, New Jersey, with her children.

Now living in the small town of Clark, which she loved, she began her career as a legal secretary, a career she would have for almost three decades.  Her strong work ethic and professionalism did not go unnoticed by her peers and was always considered to be a valuable employee wherever she worked.

As a mother, she was kind and loving, always attending every school function, assisting with every school project, attending sporting events and supporting our decisions as we grew.  Her home was always open to everyone.  If friends of ours were having difficulties at home, she would provide a temporary "safe haven" for them to reflect, offering her home as a shelter, talking with and supporting them as they worked through their difficulties.  Our house was often called "the one to turn to" because of mom's caring and concern for others.

Years later, after her children moved away, she relocated to Boca Raton, Florida, living in a lovely villa she adored.  She would continue to work for my father, as a property manager at Lakeshore Plaza in West Palm Beach, as he always knew he could count on her to do a great job.  Santo resided nearby in Lighthouse Point and, although divorced, they remained friends, spending time with her children, and new grandson, Brandon.

She absolutely adored her grandson, never hesitating to babysit or simply spend time with him.  Every school event she attended with pride, every birthday she celebrated, every vacation spent with him gave her so much happiness.  She was truly the definition of a "proud grandma".

She would eventually sell her lovely villa after retirement, and say goodbye to her mother, father, sister and brother Charles, all preceding her in death.  As her body weakened and she was unable to live alone, she spent the last year and a half of her life in the care of her oldest daughter in Boca Raton, Florida.  She fought to remain healthy until the end, choosing to enjoy every moment she was given on this earth.

She will be remembered as a kind, loving, compassionate person who never had a bad word to say about anyone, ever.  She loved all God's creations, great and small, and took solace in the fact she was not alone in the end, but surrounded by love.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, possessing an absolute "heart of gold". Betty never hesitated to do for others and always had a kind word for everyone. She loved watching professional tennis, testing the occasional slot machine, reading, gardening, traveling, shopping and spending time with friends and family.

 She is survived by her children, Susan Childs and fiance' William Reed, Joanne LaBarbera, and Nicholas LaBarbera, and grandson, Brandon Childs.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, April 22nd, from 1pm to 4pm at the Glick Family Funeral Home in Boca Raton. Services will be held on Monday, April 23rd, at 11am at St Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton.   She will be laid to rest at Boca Raton Mausoleum.

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