Obituary of Barbara J. Coleman

Barbara Jane Coleman, 84, died peacefully on September 6, 2021, with her family by her side. Visitation will be held at Lynch Funeral Home, in Sunnyside, Queens, NY from 4:00pm-8:00pm, on September 13, 2021. A funeral will be held at St. Sebastian's Church in Woodside, Queens NY at 10:45am, on September 14, 2021. Burial services will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY immediately following the funeral. She was born on April 18, 1937, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY to James and Nora Keegan Coleman who emigrated from County Waterford & County Longford, in Ireland (respectively). James and Nora made passage to America through Ellis Island in the early 1900's and became proud American citizens shortly thereafter. James was a Conductor on the NYC mass transit independent line when it was in its infancy and Nora was a Homemaker with a passion for cooking and planning dinner parties for family & friends. Barbara spent summers with her family which included sisters Mary, Georgeanne and Eileen in the Catskill Mountain region of NYS. She graduated from pedigree universities with high honor and continued to pursue higher education throughout her life. She spent over 30 years as a Licensed Social Worker for the NYC Board of Education and guided many students on a path of success. She was a dedicated and active member of the Catholic Church and worked with various charities. Barbara had a host of friends and remained in touch with many of them until her death. At the time before personal computers, Barbara researched her ancestry and compiled a treasure trove of valuable information that she shared with all. She was also an active member in local politics. Barbara once received a Citation for recognition as a "Women of Distinction" from the New York State Assembly as a dedicated civic leader of Community Board 2, in Queens County, NY. Her interests included global travel, education, Theology, reading and research. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to her mother who suffered from Alzheimer's until she passed away at age 90. It has been said that after having a conversation with Barbara, you left as a smarter person with the wealth of knowledge she would share. Barbara Jane Coleman is survived by nine nephews and eight nieces.