(nee Pinto) Suddenly on November 22, 2018, of Collingswood, NJ, formerly of Yeadon, PA.  Age 62 years.

Barbara was the Beloved wife of Dennis Matousch.  Devoted mother of Dennis (Sharon) and Thomas (Linda).  Loving Nanny of Brynn and Ella.  Cherished daughter of the late Albert and Barbara Pinto and sister of Lisa (Bob) Trucksess, Thomas (Susan) Pinto, Joseph (Kimberley) Pinto, Matthew (Marianne) Pinto, Ann (Dean) McCarney and the late Albert J. Pinto.  She is also lovingly survived by her mother-in-law, Annina (the late John) Matousch; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Kathy), David (Patricia) and Donald (Anita); sister-in-law, Linda (David) Rau; her Uncle William McFalls and her beloved Aunt and Godmother, Alice McFalls and many nieces, nephews and scores of cherished friends.

When Barbara left us this week, too many of us lost "our person".  It seemed a cataclysmic mistake because no one found more joy, contentment, happiness and fun in being alive than she did.  She loved her life and those in it.  She had many, many people she could call friends and more than her fair share of best friends, each of them fitting her individually and seamlessly.  They reflected back to her what was in her and important to her; general happiness, an ability to easily find joy, intelligence, contentment and a healthy dose of inappropriate humor, brought out carefully, within the boundaries of an outside persona that was gracious and lovely and well-heeled.  She avoided conflict but it rarely found her anyway because of her gentleness and sunny way.  She had a sentimental core, set in her DNA, and the tenderest heart, set there, too.  You were not judged by Barbara, you were welcomed as you were.  You were not criticized by her because she didn't criticize herself.  She was happy in her skin, so why wouldn't everyone else be happy in theirs?  This could have been her mantra.  To be in her inner circle was comforting, peaceful and hysterically entertaining.  Whether she was being silly, snarky or inappropriate, you were brought along and her reward came when you joined in, causing a release in her that involved guffaws of laughter and a true picture of what "glee" looks like.  She could fill up with tears easily, too, though, almost always at something sentimental, or when someone was in pain.  She protected your psyche, knew where you felt vulnerable and labored over how she would make it better.  Very soon, she'd come back to you with "What I need to say to you is this" and you'd be lifted by words so eloquent and to the point, that you were on your way to seeing things through "Barbara's eyes", the loveliest of views.

We would be remiss in remembering Barbara and not to mention her glorious singing voice.  It should come as no surprise to those that knew her that she had many leads at her alma mater, Archbishop Prendergast High School, "Prendie".  Imagine our mother's pride when she did?  As soon as she graduated Prendie, she got that snazzy short hair cut and never looked back.  She immediately booked a singing job right out of high school as the lead singer in a traveling band called "Exodus".  That was quite a big deal in our house.  She graced the lead vocals in many bands during her 20's while being a young mother, but it was when she got back on the stage again that she truly appreciated how much she loved to perform and sing.  She would often use the phrase that she loved "caressing" certain notes and relished the unique ability that singers had to be able to caress notes and lyrics.  She knew she had a gift and what was most admirable about Barbara is that she was grateful for her gift and never turned down an opportunity to sing whether it was in a musical production, a band, a karaoke bar, a singing contest, her one woman cabarets, singing for a friend's wedding or funeral and of course, you could always find Barb around the piano singing Christmas songs at Lisa's parties.  She was that rare vocalist who could sing a beautiful rendition of "Over the Rainbow" that would rival Judy Garland then turn around and get gritty while belting "Hard Hearted Hannah" or she could sing the "Ave Maria" with the perfect amount of reverence then turn around and rock out to a Heart song.  She could sing it all.

But perhaps Barbara's best gift was passing down her passion for singing and performing to her two talented boys who also inherited her comic timing.  She even managed to get her husband Denny to join the fun on stage.  While Barb always wanted us to come see her perform, she REALLY wanted everyone to come see her boys perform because it gave her even more joy.  And just as our mother would beam with pride over watching her Barbara, Barbara would have that same motherly pride over watching her Denny and her Tommy.  We cannot fathom that we will continue our lives and never hear that beautiful soprano voice with the rich velvety vibrato.

She met Dennis Matousch at the legendary "AlJo's".  Their relationship got off to a less that auspicious start when Dennis asked for her coat check number and she, thinking he asked for her phone number, began rattling off what would be the longest coat check number ever.  They were two of the lucky ones as they turned the infatuation of young love into a 40 year marriage.  They understood the gift they had in each other and worked to keep their marriage growing.  In recent years they enjoyed travel, their Jersey shore beach time and spending time with extended family.  She was an active Collingswood resident, involved with the Collingswood Community Theater, the former owner of Secret Garden, the Event Coordinator of the Grand Ballroom at the Scottish Rite and most recently the Director of the Collingswood Senior Community Center.  Without a doubt, her greatest achievements are most evident in the persons of Denny and Tommy, her pride and joy.  To have had her as their mother was their lottery win.  While motherhood is not a unique role, no one took to it with as much passion, fervor and understanding of the blessing God gave her in raising two babies into the men they are today.  Taking the gifts the boys were born with, Barbara and her beloved, Denny have shaped, nurtured and given them everything they've needed to soar.  And, boy have they.  They are intelligent, talented, gentle, witty, loving and thoughtful men.  She was then blessed with two lovely daughters-in-law, Sharon and Linda.  She would recount those blessings many times to friends as she knew her boys had chosen well, which gave her and Denny so much peace and joy.  "And then life got sweeter", to quote Barbara.  The arrival of two little girls was the crescendo to a life already blessed.  Brynn and Ella have been a constant joy to their Nanny and Popki.  The brief time she has had with those babies has been precious and for those of us who knew her, we will feel the joy she had for them emanate forever.  Watching Dennis, Denny and Tommy plan and handle the rituals of her funeral fill us with such pride.  They are allowing us to simply mourn while they take their place in saying farewell to our sweet Barbara with adoration, dignity, respect and grace that they know she'd revel in.  She is beside herself in pride, even as she stands in the most spectacular of places, His loving arms.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing Monday evening 6 to 9 PM and Tuesday 8:30 to 10 AM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 820 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ.  Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday 10:30 AM at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, St. John Church, 809 Park Ave., Collingswood, NJ.  Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the "Trust of John Pinto," a fund established for the long term care of her nephew, "Jackie Boy", whom she adored.  Please send to Trust of John Pinto, 336 Park Ave., Swarthmore, PA 19081.