Obituary of Barbara Brack

Bärbel “Barbara” Brack, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 2nd, 2017 surrounded by loved ones. Long-time resident of Mine Hill, Barbara was born on October 31st, 1939 to Dorothea and Hugo Artler in Kiel, Germany. In the chaos of World War II, Barbara’s family, her mother, sister Ingrid Klein, and late brother Jurgen Artler, were relocated from their family home to Suderstapel. At the age of 16, she immigrated to America with her family. While on a cruise visiting Germany she met her devoted husband, Helmut Brack, who she then spent 56 loving years with.
 
Beginning her journey in America as a seamstress, Barbara later became a U.S. citizen and followed her passion to finally owning her own business, Grandma’s Curtains, in Chester, NJ. She expertly operated her custom window treatments and design store working tirelessly to advance the business while still continuing to put her family first. She owned and ran the store for 16 years until she courageously began her battle with Parkinson’s. She is survived by her husband, Helmut Brack; her sister, Ingrid Klein and husband Max Klein; her sister-in-law, Froukjen Artler; her son, Richard Brack; her daughters, Monica DeRyder and Caroline Brack and husband John Edwards; and her four adored granddaughters, Brielle, Emma, Arayna, and Rose.
 
Barbara was a Yahtzee master and a Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune whiz. Her family will always remember her quick-witted, feisty, determined, can-do attitude that she embodied until the end. She would do anything for her family, never complained, and was always seen with a smile on her face. Barbara was always known to face adversity with fiery optimism and positivity.
 
A Remembrance of Life Ceremony will be held this weekend. Please contact a family member for location, day and time 973-229-6363.  In lieu of flowers, we ask you make donations in her memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org).  Arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).