Barbara Bohan Obituary

Mary Barbara Bohan, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25 at home in Wyckoff with family. Barbara, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, neighbor and friend will be remembered for her quick wit, devout faith and thoughtful nature.
Bea, as her family affectionately called her, surprised her parents on August 29,1937 when the doctor announced boy-girl twins when they were expecting only one baby. The element of surprise and delight remained a hallmark of her personality throughout her life. Her parents, Elizabeth (McGarry) and Thomas Bohan, raised their family-Audrey, Liz, and the twins, Tom and Barbara, all born within three years-in the Bronx, New York. Bea's father served in the NY Police Department as a detective and her mother focused on the children as a loving homemaker. Barbara graduated from St. Nicolas of Tolentine High School in the Bronx in 1955 where she enjoyed popularity for her sense of humor and natural beauty.
Barbara's legacy of serving others started when she and sister, Liz, volunteered to care for orphans at the New York Foundling Hospital. Around this time she started her career at the New York Athletic Club, where she climbed the ranks to manage their retail department for over 30 years. Her family reaped the benefits of her club connection with sporting events and NYAC swag. For over twenty years, she commuted to the city for work at NYAC from Wyckoff, where she moved to live with and support her parents. The lake side cottage on Highland Street in Wyckoff became a sanctuary for nieces and nephews. She devoted her time and energy to caring for her parents until their deaths allowing them to remain at home near family.
After her parents' passing, Barbara focused on her faith, family, community, and love for animals. She served as a Eucharistic minister, joined St. Elizabeth's ladies prayer group, attended daily mass, and brought the Eucharist to the sick at Valley Hospital. She also adopted shelter pets and loved outdoor walks.
Aunt Bea will be remembered by her nieces and nephews for her unmatched wit and wry observations. Barbara has been joyfully reunited in heaven with her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Bohan, her cherished sister, Liz Minogue and brother-in-law Daniel Minogue. Her family and loved ones who remain include her sister, Audrey (Martin) Sinnott, their children: Anne (Scott) Rose, Audra (David) Haight, Lisa (Sean) Fitzgerald and Christopher Sinnott, her twin brother Thomas (Diane) Bohan and his family: Bridget (Chris) Arend, Brian (Amy) Bohan and her sister Liz's family: Barbara (John) Wallace, Bo (Lori) Minogue, Gina (William) Sullivan and Michael (Renee) Minogue, cousin Anne Phillips and over 25 great nieces and nephews who never tire of a good Aunt Bea story.
A holy mass to celebrate Barbara's life will be held on February 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m at St. Elizabeth's Church (700 Wyckoff Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, (https://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/) a charity close to Barbara's heart.
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