Obituary of Barbara Theresa O'Neill

Barbara Theresa (Barb/Mattie) O’Neill (nee Matthews) passed away peacefully on July 27, 2022 in Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ at the age of 83.

Barbara leaves behind her children James O’Neill III (Leeann); her daughter, Cathy Pezzuti (Dean); her son, Michael O’Neill (Jennifer); and, her son-in-law, Mark Rubino. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Brendan O’Neill, Ryan Rubino, Nicholas, Gianna, Gillian, and Matthew Pezzuti, and Tyler O’Neill and her sister, Sharon Miller (Ray). She is also survived by numerous cousins and friends.

Barbara was born on September 15, 1938 in The Bronx, NY to her parents Fred and Loretta (Campbell) Matthews. She grew up in Washington Heights, New York City, where she attended Incarnation Elementary School and Cathedral High School, New York City, NY.

She married James O’Neill, Jr., on March 9, 1959.

Everyone in Oakland knew her from her years as a Borough of Oakland School Crossing Guard and then her 30+ years of working at the Oakland Drug Store.

She enjoyed St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dances at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, lunches with, as she called them, The Ladies, her wine and playing the lottery (just like her Dad). She was a true believer in God, country, family and friends. So, whether you called her Barb, Mattie or Barbara, she will be greatly missed by all of us and ‘Forever in Our Hearts’.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James O’Neill Jr.; and her daughters, Lori O’Neill and Colleen Rubino.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, 11AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 25 Purdue Avenue, Oakland, NJ. Burial will follow at Christ The King Cemetery, 980 Huron Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ.  Please consider making 

a donation to your favorite charity in Barbara’s name.