Barbara Medes (nee Arizzi) was born June 28, 1936, in Barrington, NJ, daughter of Ernest and Margaret Arizzi (nee Genzano), and dear sister of Ernest Arizzi Jr. and the late Eleanor Landolt. Barbara grew up in Barrington and graduated from Haddon Heights High School. She was a member of the National Honors Society, and competed as a member of the field hockey, basketball and swimming teams. It was in high school that Barbara met her future husband, James Medes, and the two of them were voted cutest couple. They were married on September 15, 1956, settled in Runnemede, and shared a 35 year marriage together until Jim's passing in 1991. She was blessed with five children, eight grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Barbara dedicated her life to her family, building a home filled with mouthwatering smells from her scratch cooking . Italian was her specialty, but everything she made was delicious. Her cooking was the foundation of every family gathering and holiday, establishing the traditions that the family will carry on in her honor. Her homemade pizza was legendary in Runnemede, and her children were often accompanied home from school on Fridays by friends looking forward to a slice. Everyone craved her homemade pies, chocolate cake and multiple varieties of cookies. Barbara even took a cake decorating class so she could make elaborate birthday cakes for her grandchildren in every theme they could imagine.
Barbara was an avid sports fan. She could always be found on the sidelines cheering on her children and grandchildren at their sporting events. She drove many miles across multiple states to attend every football, basketball, field hockey, soccer, baseball, softball, or gymnastics event they participated in. She was such a consistent fan that she was often adopted by the teams as their team Mom or Gram Gram. It was not unusual for her to bring baked goods to reward the teams for a win. Barbara was given the honor of being named "MVP Mom" by her daughter Margie's college field hockey team, and received a plaque that she displayed proudly. She was also a Philadelphia sports fan, setting her schedule to watch every game, providing her critiques or yelling loudly "That's how you do it!" when they did something right.
Gardening was another passion of hers. She learned everything she could about plants and flowers and filled her home and gardens with them. She worked tirelessly in the yard at her own home and her children's homes to make them beautiful. She filled her windowsills with African violets and orchids. In the spring, she loved to clip the peonies and lilacs place them in vases throughout the house. She could name every plant, tree, or flower that she saw, and was everyone's go to person if they needed help or advice with their own plants. Barbara was also quite skilled with a sewing machine, knitting needles and crocheting. She made numerous blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, Halloween costumes and doll clothes for her kids, grandkids, and family friends. Barbara was also an animal lover and provided homes to dogs, cats, birds and rabbits throughout her lifetime. She particularly loved dogs, and would laugh loudly upon receiving wet kisses from her many grandpups. Even the dogs received homemade treats from Barbara.
Barbara passed away on December 12, 2022. She is survived by her children James Jr. (Helen), Margie Frasca (Dan), Steve (Michelle), Suzanne Medes, and Jennifer Gambol (Jason). She is also survived by her grandchildren Julie, Jaime, Danielle, Eric, Maddie, Macie, Nathan, and Alex, great grandchildren Leah, Ben, Vivienne, and Emelia, her brother Ernest, and many nieces and nephews.
Please join us to celebrate Barbara's 86 years with her family and friends.
There will be a viewing from 10am to 11:30am Saturday, December 17, 2022 at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.
Funeral Mass 12 noon at Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa RC Church, Runnemede.
Interment Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.
In lieu of flowers donations to the ASPCA are welcomed.
Services
Viewing
Runnemede, NJ 08078
Funeral Mass
Runnemede, NJ 08078
Graveside Service
Camden, NJ 08103
Dear Margie, Dan and family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I have many fond memories of her ~ always smiling! Prayers of peace and comfort during this sad time.
Mrs. Medes touched many people and will be greatly missed. Besides being Margie’s Mom, she was also a friend. As I told Margie, “Your Mom is a part of me and I am proud of that”.
The other day I referred to Margie’s Mom as “Sweet and Feisty”. To an outsider, the descriptive words ‘Sweet and Feisty’ may be difficult to understand when describing the same person. However, the words truly describe Mrs. Medes. This mother of 5 was loving, kind, proud, strict, and generous. She often had an opinion, spoke her mind, and did not back down from a challenge. All commendable traits that she passed down to her children.
Mrs. Medes was a positive influence for girls in sports and life. Mrs. Medes was the only Mom who not only supported female athletics, she was also the only Mom who was an active participant growing up. I remember hearing stories that Mrs. Medes’ parents would stop their car a distance from their home and Mrs. Medes would have to run home. How cool was that! No wonder Mrs. Medes was an athlete. Mrs. Medes encouraged us (Margie’s girlfriends) to compete and was a huge fan at games. Juggling her job transcribing and typing at all hours, Mrs. Medes went out of her way to attend all of Margie’s games, and she cheered for everyone.
Mrs. Medes was the best cook. Everything she made was absolutely delicious from hundreds of Christmas cookies to fried chicken to pizza from scratch. There was always enough for guests, whether we (Margie’s girlfriends) were invited or if we just stopped by. We were no dummies. We knew Friday was pizza night with many absolutely delicious pizzas coming out of the Medes’ double ovens. Conveniently, we often found ourselves using Margie’s phone to call our parents for a ride home from Triton on Fridays. There was always enough and Mrs. Medes appeared happy and prepared to share.
I remember when Mrs. Medes made a large cake from scratch for one of our teams. After a game the team ate the cake. No slices were cut. Everyone was given a fork and we all dug in!
As an adult, I often called the expert chef for advice. Mrs. Medes helped me when I provided a steak dinner for the Haddonfield High School football coaches when my boys graduated. She also lovingly gave me her unique step-by-step recipe for her tried and true homemade pizza. It was delicious and I rightfully gave the expert chef all the credit.
Mrs. Medes was no slacker. As a friend visiting the Medes’ home, I always saw her busy with her children’s sports and activities, cooking, baking, gardening, housekeeping, and her typing assignments. She had endless energy.
Being a grandmother and great-grandmother were an added bonus for Mrs. Medes. She enjoyed playing and running with the little kids and attending many of their sporting events and activities as they grew. I went to one of Danielle’s field hockey games at Eastern University with Mrs. Medes. Being a passenger in the sporty red Toyota with the “olderwoman” license plate was an experience. I felt obligated to tell Margie that her mom drove 75 miles per hour on the Walt Whitman Bridge.
Margie, thank you for the photo of your mom and me from Julie’s wedding. Your Mom was beautiful and oh-so happy. I will always treasure it. Like I said through tears, “Your Mom is a part of me and I am proud of that”. Thank you for sharing your Mom with me.
Love,
Gail
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