Obituary of Barbara Susan Orawiec

Barbara Susan Orawiec peacefully passed on February 11, 2025 surrounded by family and friends at her home. Barbara was born on Oct. 21,1945 in Brooklyn, NY, where she lived with her parents Agnes and Frank Orawiec, who pre-deceased her as well as younger brother, Frank, before moving to Toms River, NJ with her parents in 1995. It was there that she made her connection with a group named 21 Plus, a nonprofit dedicated to providing community-based programs in Ocean County, NJ and Camden County, NJ for individuals over the age of 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Barbara participated in the 21 Plus day programs and lived in a group home in Manchester, NJ for over 22 years. She enjoyed puzzles, adored John Wayne and all cowboy movies and adored her friends and family at 21 Plus. This amazing community was her second family and through the organization she attended daily programming, enjoyed trips and thrived through the dedication and support of the 21 Plus staff. Her life at her home was the best thing that happened to her and was the reason she lived a very happy and joyful life.

She is survived by her brother, Frank Orawiec, (pre-deceased by her sister-in-law Stephanie Orawiec), niece Tracey Riccardi, husband Mike and her grand-nieces Emily, Matt and Andrew and her sister-in-law Suzanne Lelen (Stephanie’s twin sister) and bother-in-law Ron Lelen. Friends and family are invited to visit from 8:30AM – 9:30AM at The Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, NJ.  A Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00AM at St. Thomas More RC Church in Manalapan, NJ.  Interment will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers please kindly consider donating to the 21 Plus Foundation.  To leave a condolence or find directions, please visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.