Barbara R. Thorpe, 89. of Lincroft, NJ passed away on November 20, 2025, just four days shy of her 90th birthday. Bobbie was born on November 24, 1935 in Dumont, NJ and was raised in Red Bank. Bobbie was a proud member of the Red Bank High School class of 1953.
Bobbie was a tomboy in her youth. She loved sports and lettered in basketball. She loved to bowl, roller skate and ice skate. She learned carpentry from her father and crabbing from her grandfather. She rode her horse whenever she could and loved animals of all kinds, especially her dogs and cats. Bobbie was a bit of a rebel - she was sent home from high school for wearing jeans!
Bobbie began working for New Jersey Bell Telephone Company in 1953. During her years at Bell, she was a member of CWA Local 1001 and served as secretary treasurer. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and served as the President of the Red Bank/Freehold Council. Through her involvement in the Telephone Pioneers she participated in many charitable activities.
Bobbie is remembered by her family for loving many styles of music with country being her favorite. Bobbie certainly knew her way around the kitchen and enjoyed making a fine meal for her family and friends. Bobbie enjoyed traveling with her husband Bill, they enjoyed seeing Hawaii, Mexico and much of the US. They especially loved trips to Maine in the fall for leaf peeping and a great seafood dinner. Bobbie enjoyed crafting after her retirement. She loved to watch sports; NFL, baseball, golf and tennis were all enjoyable to her.
Bobbie met the love of her life, Bill in 1954. She was literally driving her convertible around the circuit in Red Bank and saw Bill on the street corner. They just celebrated 70 years of marriage this May. Together Bobbie and Bill built a house, raised three kids and enjoyed a good long life together.
Bobbie was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Suzanne Reynolds. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Carol R. Story and Joan R. Baxter and her daughter-in-law Barbara Loechel. Bobbie is survived by her loving husband, William C. Thorpe, Jr. and her children Christa McLaughlin (Brian), William C. Thorpe III, and Barbara Thorpe-Nelson (Michael). She is also survived by her grandchildren Jacob Nelson, Theodore Thorpe, Dana Thorpe and Catherine Nelson. Bobbie is also survived by her sister Patricia Mueller and her brother Howard Reynolds and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 23, 2023 from 1-4 PM at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701. A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 10:30 am the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel, NJ.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Lunch Break of Red Bank https://lunchbreak.org/ or the ASPCA of Monmouth https://monmouthcountyspca.org/.
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