Obituary of Barbara Ketterer

Barbara Ketterer, 77, of Piscataway, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at JFK Medical Center in Edison. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, Barbara grew up in Old Saybrook, Connecticut before moving to Roselle Park and eventually settling in Piscataway where she and her husband, Arthur, lived for more than 50 years. A devoted communicant of Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church in Piscataway, Barbara served her parish in many capacities, most notably as a lector. Barbara’s academic and professional accomplishments were a source of great pride. After graduating from high school, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT in 1969. She began her career at Bell Labs in Piscataway and continued her studies at Rutgers University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Science. A few years later,she left the workforce to raise her family, a role she cherished deeply. Once her children were grown, Barbara returned to Rutgers Graduate School to pursue a Master’s Degree in Library Science, which led to a second career as a Librarian at the New Brunswick Library and eventually as Assistant Library Director at the Old Bridge Library and later at the Plainfield Public Library. After retiring she resumed a favorite hobby, gardening, whenever the weather cooperated and when it didn’t, she picked up her knitting needles. She and her husband were fortunate to be able to travel to visit friends in Hawaii and in Europe and cruise on some European rivers. Barbara was predeceased by her brother, James Chmielewski.She is survived by her beloved husband, Arthur; her sons, Michael and his wife Kristina, and Peter and his wife Blake; her brothers, Michael Chmielewski and his wife Betty Ann, and Thomas Chmielewski and his wife Tina; and her cherished grandchildren, Hawkins and Michael. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 4:00–8:00 PM at Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church, Piscataway, NJ. Cremation will follow privately.