Barbara Ann Mella

Barbara Ann Mella of Helmetta passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 7, 2023 with her devoted son Christopher and brother Stephen at her side after a 2 year valiant battle with cancer. She was 75.

Barbara was born and raised in Staten Island, New York to Gabriel J. and Hilda Tatar and lived in Travis, New Brunswick and Kendall Park until moving to Helmetta in 1998. She was educated at St. Louis Academy, Staten Island, NY and worked at Merrill Lynch, New York City before marrying and starting a family.

She was employed for over 30 years as a Lieutenant, University Police at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in charge of Livingston Campus, Piscataway, until her retirement.

Mrs. Mella was a faithful parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Old Bridge.

Barbara enjoyed traveling all over the United States with her husband of 50 years, Noel, trips to Atlantic City, playing Bingo at many area Roman Catholic Churches, frequenting many NJ restaurants with her husband, shopping, helping and spending time with her beloved family and caring for many furry felines since 1981, namely Henrietta, Tiger, Minnie, Sammie, Sylvester, Milo, Piggy, Baby and Brownie.

Surviving are her beloved husband Noel R. Mella; her dearest children, Christopher Noel Mella, Funeral Director, Patrick and, Juliann and her husband Brandon; her loving grandaughters Olivia and Madison; her devoted brothers, Paul and wife Ann Marie Tatar and Stephen Tatar, her nephews Steven and Michael Tatar and, many extended family and dear friends who will miss her greatly.

Funeral services will begin at 9:00 AM, Friday, September 15th, from Spotswood Funeral Home, 475 Main Street, Spotswood, followed by a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial from St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, Rt.18 South, Old Bridge. Interment will be at 12:30 PM at the NJ Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Provinceline Road, North Hanover Twp.. The family will receive family and friends on Thursday, September 14th, 4:00 until 8:00 PM, at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in the name of Mrs. Mella may be made to The New Jersey Humane Society or to your local no-kill animal shelter in her memory.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.