Barbara Lee Markmann, of Hackettstown, NJ passed on Friday, January 30, 2026 in the Northampton Post acute Nursing Home in Bethlehem, PA. She was 85 years old.
Barbara was born in Newark, NJ on December 21, 1940. She lived in Montclair and moved to Chester, NJ in 1954. She graduated from Roxbury High School. Barbara attended Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1964. She did some fashion modeling for Bambergers (now Macys) throughout the state during college and worked for a year at Prudential in Newark. Barbara was an elementary school teacher in Elizabeth, NJ and Chester, NJ. She taught students in first and third grades. She was loved by staff and students and was known for her creativeness. Barbara married her college sweetheart and Biology lab partner Donald Markmann in 1965.
Barbara loved to travel with her husband. They loved the Jersey shore in summer and the ski slopes of New England in winter. They also visited many National Parks in the west, and her favorite site was Lake Tahoe in California. She also loved her trips to Florida and several foreign countries.
Barbara was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Long Valley, NJ. She was a woman of faith and loved being a parishioner there. She also was an outstanding member of the community and was a volunteer for the American Heart Association in her neighborhood. She also was a Girl Scout leader and Cub Scout leader, while also teaching Sunday CCD. Later on, she was a substitute teacher at Mansfield Elementary school. But most of all she excelled at being a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother.
She was married to her husband Donald for over 60 years. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary down at the shore in Wildwood last August with 26 family members present. The loving couple raised two wonderful children, Heidi Healy and Donald J. Markmann. Heidi and her husband Tom were blessed with three beautiful children, Ryan, Tim and Sarah Healy. Barbara also has a brother John McCloskey and his wife Jan in Wilbraham, MA. Barbara was predeceased by her parents, John and Ruth McCloskey and her sister Suzanne Ballengee and brother-in-law David Ballengee.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St. Hackettstown, NJ Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.cochranfuneral.com Visitation will be held at Cochran Funeral on Feb. 5, 2026 from 3:30pm-7:30pm. The funeral mass will be at Our Lady of the Mountain Church, 2 Springtown Rd., Long Valley, NJ on Friday Feb.6, 2026 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her beloved church.
5 Condolences for Markmann, Barbara L.
Condolences(5)
Heidi says
February 4, 2026 at 12:05 amMom you were a blessing to us all these years. God bless you! And thank you for all your did here on Earth. My heart hurts without you here! ❤️Please watch over us all. I know you are my Angel always!
Sarah Healy says
February 4, 2026 at 12:12 amMy beautiful grandma. Loved by so many, especially me. I’ll miss seeing her and talking to her, hearing her voice. Wish we didn’t have to say goodbye, but I know heaven is your place to be now ❤️
Amy Ballengee and kids says
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 pmAunt Barbara you will be dearly missed . So many holiday memories , vacation spots , and shopping adventures. Never afraid to have fun , dance a little and take a chance. The world is a tougher place without your wisdom Please give Mom and dad a hug from me and look over all of us in these tough days ahead. We miss you .
DJ Markmann says
February 5, 2026 at 1:39 amMom you were truly my best friend . You were such a positive inspiration to me my whole life I could talk to you about anything and everything for hours. You had such a fun filled spirit that was like the “old school” generation that i love so much. No social media, no iphone , just real talk . You were an absolute fighter the last 6 months and you always would tell me that “God” and “Heaven” is the destination that you desire more than anything ! I love you Forever Mom ! XOXOXOXO
Angela McKenna says
February 7, 2026 at 4:31 pmMy sincere condolences to all who loved her, particularly the Healy family. I am so sorry for your loss, Heidi, Tom, Ryan, Tim & Sarah. Wishing you comfort in your memories.
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