Norma W. Bahr

Norma W. Bahr, a lifelong resident of New Jersey, passed away September 15, 2010 at her home in Toms River after a long illness. She was 86. Ms. Bahr was born in Roselle Park but spent much of her childhood raising corn and livestock on her family's farm in East Millstone. She studied accounting and business at Union College in Cranford. She spent her entire career in accounting at Western Electric Company, working at both the Kearney and Gateway Newark facilities, before retiring as a Senior Accounting Manager in 1981 after 38 years. Ms. Bahr was both a mentor and advocate for women in business. Throughout her life, Ms. Bahr was known for her kindness and generosity to both family and friends. Even in retirement, she spent twenty years as a volunteer tax specialist helping senior citizens in Berkeley Township file their tax returns. Ms. Bahr was an avid reader, golfer and bowler for many years and loved to travel with family and friends throughout the United States as well as Europe. A highlight was a trip to Italy with her nieces and nephews for her 80th birthday. She was loved and respected by all who knew her. She is survived by cousins Connie Hagman, Linda Hagman and Jeannette Hageman; nieces Diane Davidow, Cynthia Pontius and Barbara Sheehan; nephew Thomas Bahr and five great-nieces and nephews as well as a great-great niece and a great-great nephew. Visitation 9:30 - 11:30 AM, Wednesday September 22, 2010, Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Avenue, Cranford (www.grayfuneralhomes.com), followed by Graveside services at 12 Noon in Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Ocean County Library, Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey 08753.