Barbara Harding Sykes

Barbara Harding Sykes of Troy Towers (40 Conger Street), Bloomfield died Tuesday, February 27th at Mountainside Hospital after a brief illness. She was 90. The daughter of Helen Harding and Olin Clair Sykes, Barbara was a 1945 graduate of Glen Ridge High School. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and later enlisted in the US Army Air Force as a radio technician. Barbara joined the Admiral Corporation in the mid 1960s and continued with its successor company Gotham Sales serving as Treasurer and Chief Administrator. She retired at the age of 85. Barbara was an active member of the Upper Montclair Women’s Club, and participated for many years in the Essex County chapter of the Sweet Adelines, a national choral group. Barbara was a member of the Metropolitan Opera Guild in NYC and the Mayflower Society. She enjoyed theater, opera, reading , knitting, walks around Eagle Rock Reservation and time with her family. She traveled extensively across Europe, Egypt and US.
She leaves behind her brother Robert and sister-in-law of Delray Beach, Florida and half sister Deborah Riley of Washington DC. Barbara was beloved aunt of Christopher, Victoria Sykes Rabbitt, Jennifer and Jeremy Sykes. She was also the great aunt of Jonathan, Eric, Leo, Emily, Jordan and Cambria.
Condolence cards may be sent to the Van Tassel Funeral Home at 337 Belleville Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
www.vantasselfuneralhome.com