Barbara (Zielinski) Lee, 89, of Collingswood, NJ (formerly Bellmawr, NJ), died peacefully at United Methodist Community at Collingswood Manor on Monday, November 3, 2026, with her beloved children beside her.

“Bopchie”, as she was lovingly known, was born September 27, 1937, in Philadelphia, just a few short blocks from where she would meet the love of her life, Joseph Lee. She was the third of eight children of Jake and Mae Zielinski of the Port Richmond neighborhood. After graduating from business school, she worked for the Propagation of the Faith in Philadelphia and soon met her husband-to-be, Joseph, while visiting the beaches of Wildwood. They married in 1957 at the Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Church in Port Richmond, Philadelphia.

Together, Barbara and Joseph had six incredible children, Barbara Ann (Lee) Cogan (husband Dan), Kenny Lee (wife Sherry), Melissa Lee, Suzy (Lee) Black (husband Darryl), Jeffrey Lee (wife Lisa), and Joseph Lee (wife Kelly). Over their nearly seventy years together, they welcomed thirteen grandchildren, Cara, DJ (wife Jessica), and Caity (husband John), Armani and Paolo, Max and Elian, Aidan and Devon, Makenzie and Jeffrey, and Brady and Owen. She was further blessed with four great-grandchildren, Jack, Lukas, Kennedy, and Isla. Barbara also embraced her extended family,Tia and children Ava, Addison, and Caleb, and Skylar (wife Allison) and children Griffin and Gracyn.

Barbara worked at RCA Records in Cherry Hill, NJ, for many years while raising her young family. She finished her career at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, NJ, until she retired to become a full-time, hands-on grandmom, spending her days traveling with and supporting her grand and great-grandchildren in their sports and arts endeavors. Along with Joseph, Barbara worked hard to provide 12 years of a Catholic education to all of her children.

Throughout her life, Barbara was pure love. She was everyone’s “Bopchie”. Acquaintances and friends soon became family, and her house was always open for a warm welcome and a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup. She gave her children the world, and in a way, changed it through her unconditional love and kindness. She is now reunited with her beloved Joseph, dancing forever because she truly does belong to him.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Thursday, November 12, 2026, 9 AM to 11 AM at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. John  Church, 809 Park Ave., Collingswood, NJ.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM.  Entombment Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Communities Foundation at https://supportumcf.org/giving#online-donate.

Arrangements by FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, Collingswood and Audubon, NJ.