Barbara "Buttons" Van Vliet

Barbara, "Buttons" Van Vliet, 81, of Short Hills, NJ and Syracuse, NY, died peacefully at home on May 22, succumbing to cancer a year after diagnosis.

Barbara was born and raised by Mildred and George Miller in Highland Park, NJ where her charisma charmed everyone she met. As a young person, Barbara was passionate about theatre and travel, and pursued these passions through college. After marrying, Barbara lived in Short Hills, NJ where she raised three girls, Suzanne (Mike) Taddeo of Syracuse, NY, Lyndsey (Jack Gerber) Van Vliet of Chevy Chase, MD and Heidi (Chico) Barraza of Melrose, MA. All three women are a testament to Barbara's dedication to instilling strength, compassion and a zest for life. Barbara was also the proud grandmother of: Sarah and Steven Taddeo, Amanda, Bradford and Clayton Gerber, Isabelle and Paxton Barraza, and is also survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as her many friends. Besides her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her beloved sister, Sandy, and her son-in-law, Jack Gerber.

While raising her family, Barbara developed her leadership skills and took on many head positions including at her church, as President of the Garden Club, and with her beloved P.E.O., a philanthropic organization celebrating the advancement and education of women through scholarships, awards and motivating women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Barbara was never short on energy; she was relentless when it came to helping others, and was an inspiration to all she met. She never allowed life to pass her by; she seized every last moment. Whether taking a spur of the moment trip to her favorite spot on the Jersey Shore, courageously flying to Japan to help build an orphanage, or taking the entire family to Broadway, she was determined to take advantage of everything life has to offer.

At Parkrose Estates in Liverpool, she enjoyed the choir, drama, writing for the newspaper, watching movies, leading a walking club, and much, much more. But most of all, she treasured the residents and staff of Parkrose. Special thanks all at Parkrose for 5 years of loving our Mom and us, her family - You are the best!

We'd all be a little happier if we took just one page from Barbara's book. As her favorite quote says, "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming, Wow what a ride!"

There will be no calling hours. Local services will be at the convenience of the family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Spring Lake, New Jersey in September. If you are interested in getting more information regarding the celebration of life, please email, buttonsvanvliet@gmail.com

Contributions can be made at: peointernational.org, dana-farber.org, or hospicecny.org

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