Barbara Ann Morrison

On April 15, 2025, after a brief illness, Barbara Ann (Nelson) Morrison, age 85, was lifted by angels to her rest. Born on November 23, 1938, in College Point, NY, Barbara was the daughter of Arvid and Margaret (Wurtz) Nelson. She graduated from Dominican Commercial High School and later worked for a book publisher. Barbara met her soulmate, Ken Morrison, when he asked her to the 1957 Christmas Dance at NY Maritime College. This was the first time they had met, despite growing up around the corner from each other! They married on November 7, 1959, and spent six months in Naples, Italy, where Ken was stationed as a US Navy officer. 

In April 1960, they returned to College Point to start their family. Barbara cherished her role as a wife and mother. It was all she ever wanted to do. And she really lived her dream - with seven children, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, with four more on the way – (she was SO excited about that)! She shared 62 wonderful years with Ken until his passing. Known for her kindness and generosity, she was everybody’s “Mom”. Barbara had a remarkable ability to connect with people, remembering details about everyone she met. She enjoyed reading, crosswords, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Barbara is survived by her children and grandchildren: son Ken (Debbie) with children Chelsea and Julie; son Tom with children Jessie, Eileen, Laura; son Jim (Karen) with children Josh, Brianna, Shelby, and Wesley; daughter Liz; daughter Mary (Danny) with child Mary; daughter Barbara; and son Bill (Jennifer) with children Maggie and Brielle. She was preceded in death by her husband Ken, brother Bill, and her parents. 

A memorial to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held from 4:00PM – 8:00PM on Wednesday April 23 at The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home, 86 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, NJ 07405. A funeral mass will be at 11:00AM on Thursday, April 24 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave., Butler, NJ 07405. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.

 "Away to join my father and to share eternity, We call them kindred spirits now they will forever be."