Former longtime Red Bank and Little Silver resident, Barbara Joanne Brooks Ruzicka, more recently of Middletown, passed away on March 21 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 85.

Born in Rahway, Barbara lived in Red Bank for most of her life.

“A 1955 Red Bank High School graduate, Barbara was proud of her Red Bank roots, as her family settled in Red Bank in the early 1900s. After graduating, Barbara married the love of her life, Steven Ruzicka, also of Red Bank, in 1957. Their love story has lasted 65 years. Barbara was an active member of the Little Silver Volunteer First Aid Squad and
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bank …
Barbara had a career with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and, after retiring, she and Steven travelled the world together. She was a creative person who loved to make greeting cards, cooking, baking, reading, traveling and doing crafts.”

Loved ones of Barbara Brooks Ruzicka in her obituary

Barbara is predeceased by: her parents, Dorothy Johanna Mazza Brooks (2001) and Edward James Brooks (1964); and her brother, Lawrence Edward Brooks (2008).

She is survived by: her loving husband, Steven Ruzicka; their children, Lisa A. Colmain and husband Edward, Deirdre J. Rice and husband Todd, and Laura J. Scalzo and husband Louis; six grandchildren, Christopher and Cooper Colmain, Megan and Zachary Rice, and Alyssa and Nicole Scalzo; and two great-grandchildren, Johanna and Emma Contreras (Megan); and two great-grandchildren due in August and September, 2023.

Visitation will was held on Tuesday, March 28. The funeral service will be Wednesday, March 29, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bank. Interment will immediately follow the service at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, 150 River Rd, Red Bank, NJ 07701. The family would like to thank Brighton Gardens of Middletown, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RWJ), New Brunswick, NJ and Embracing Hospice Care, Wall New Jersey, RWJ for their compassionate care during this most difficult time.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home