|
Barbara Ruth Lesnik Wharton was born on January 15, 1943 to Pearl Freedman Lesnik and Robert R. Lesnik. She passed away on January 15, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California.
Barbara grew up at 17 Euclid Place in Montclair, New Jersey, attended Watchung School, George Inness Jr. High, and graduated from Montclair High School in the Class of 1961. At Montclair High Barbara was a twirler in her junior and senior years and was co-captain as a senior. She was a member of the color guard as a sophomore.
Barbara graduated from the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1964 she married Robert L. Purdy in Montclair and they had 4 sons and raised another boy in their family. The family lived all over the state of California, but Barbara would call Santa Barbara her home. She later married Jeff Wharton, who was from Montclair, NJ and also graduated with the Class of 1961. Barbara and Jeff lived in Redding, California and enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer and seeing new places. Jeff sadly passed away in 2014.
Barbara loved movies, books, traveling and walking, but most of all she loved her family. She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister and friend. Barbara was loved by all who were lucky enough to know her. She truly never knew a stranger.
Barbara leaves behind her sons, David Purdy (Erin), Daniel Purdy (Meg), Matthew Purdy (Janine), John Purdy (Haley) and Josh McGraff (Angie), 12 grandchildren and her sister Judy Lesnik Chase and brother-in-law Tim Chase.
|
John Pace
R.I.P Barbara 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Ron Owens
She and Jeff were the perfect "cute" couple pictured in our Amphitheather Yearbook. May they both rest in eternal peace.
Chris Weimar
Sorry to hear of Barbara's passing.As Ron mentioned she and Jeff were a nice couple. She lived a few doors away from Ronnie Mansfield. Sweet dreams Barbara!
Bob Murphy
Oh no! Barbara and I were like brother and sister growing up, living directly across the street from each other. We were dates at the 9th grade prom. Her family often visited mine at Lake George. I knew her first husband, Bob Purdy, a bit; they met at University of Pennsylvania and he established a very successful pediodontic practice in California. I was delighted, as I'm sure many MHS classmates were, when she and Jeff reestablished their "cutest yearbook couple" relationship later in life. A wonderful, warm, and fun person.
Elaine Johnson (Fiveland)
Thanks to Barbara's sister Judy Lesnik Chase for giving us this lifestory of Barbara.
I remember Barb from Watchung and MHS days. She was a sweet gal with lots of friends. I was so sorry to hear she has passed. RIP, Barbara, and condolences to her large family.
Donna Littlefield (Grieves)
Barbara , a wonderful person and friend! We were good friends in high school and always full of fun!! I want to thank her sister ,Judy for helping us with her life and all her son's and activities! We tried to keep intouch when the military took my husband, Pete and I to different locations but it was hard! I remember that 40th class reunion when she and Jeff got together 😀 May they rest in peace always.