Barbara J. Suess, 74, died on October 5, 2012 at Stonebridge, Montgomery Township, NJ, due to complications related to frontal lobe dementia. Ms. Suess lived in Lawrenceville after spending the majority of her career as a teacher and administrator in the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Germany.

An adventurous spirit, she brought respect and happiness to all she encountered in both her professional and personal life. A lover of the arts and the outdoors, an eclectic cook, she was as well a person who genuinely cared about the welfare of others.

Raised in Vineland, NJ, Ms. Suess held a bachelor's degree from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and a master's degree from Montclair State College (now University). Her 30-year-long career in education began in Fairlawn, NJ as a guidance counselor in middle school. In 1969, she joined the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Frankfurt, Germany where she was the guidance counselor at the American High School. Subsequently, she became principal of several schools connected with American military bases including Würzburg, Karlsruhe and concluded her career as Education Staff Developer in Wiesbaden, Germany. She had an excellent command of the German language, which gained her a reputation as extraordinary organizer of relationships and friendships between Americans and Germans through school and community programs. Her life in Europe allowed her to pursue her passion for travel, to enjoy other cultures, and to know people from around the world.

In 1996, Ms. Suess retired from the Department of Defense with an officer rank of GS13 and continued to serve as a consultant. After her return to New Jersey, she joined the Literacy Volunteers of Mercer County, first teaching people how to read, and then as a coach, helping young volunteers become tutors. Ms. Suess lived the last 6 years of her life at Stonebridge. She faced her illness openly, and through her high intellect, excellent coping skills and positive outlook, as well as the wonderful care and help she received from the Stonebridge staff, she lived her life with gusto and joy until her passing.

Ms. Suess is survived by her daughter Katja Suess-Nimeh (Vienna, Austria) and her three sisters Ingrid Reed (Princeton, NJ), Doris Schwartz (Okemos, MI) and Susan Levin (Port Hueneme, CA), and by her companion of the past 16 years, Rick Glazer (Lawrenceville, NJ).

She also leaves her two granddaughters, Julia and Antonia, who will have her legacy of love, laughter, caring and joy to inspire them as do the more 20 nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt B and her friends and family here and abroad.

A memorial celebration and reception for remembering Ms. Suess will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 2 to 4 pm at Stonebridge, Hollinshead Spring Road, Montgomery Township.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Literacy Volunteers of Mercer County, 3535 Quakerbridge Road, Trenton, NJ 08619.