Barbara Johnson Twigg
SEA BRIGHT - Barbara Johnson Twigg passed away on December 15, 2023, at the age of 79 in Neptune, New Jersey.
Born in Long Branch and raised in Red Bank, she was the daughter of the late Sarah Johnson (Power) and Edward Johnson.
Barbara graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School (1962), where she made lifelong friendships that she cherished, and (much) later earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (2005).
A self-taught writer, editor and photographer, Barbara worked for the Asbury Park Press and the Miami News, as well as contributed photos and articles to other various publications.
Scared of everything, but not afraid of anything, she forced her way into the journalism world by taking on the unenviable job of writing obituaries. Running around with her reporter pad, she was taking note of everything... and writing it down. She wrote everything down.
A pioneer in the “single mom” era, she took on the task of raising kids and finding a job with vigor. She went forward with no hesitation and few apologies. She was going to get what she wanted, one way or another.
An eager learner, she was constantly on the search for new knowledge, down to the open dictionary in our kitchen in Freehold. Look it up. Earning her Bachelor's degree at a later age seemed just about right for her. The learning journey was a marathon, not a sprint.
Barbara also was a successful real estate professional, buying and selling many homes from Florida to New Jersey. She loved living on the water and eating seafood, especially blue claw crabs.
A nomad of sorts, she loved moving around, seeing new places, trying new things and really just going forward and seeing what was next along the journey.
She is survived by her children: Shawn Hoagland, Lee Hoagland, and Jennifer Hoagland Spagnuolo, their spouses, and her son-in-law Christopher Moran; her grandchildren: Daisy Hoagland, Violet Hoagland, Jasmine Hoagland, Scarlett Hoagland, Sadie Tactikos, Marlon Hoagland, Scottie Moran, and Clancy Moran; and her siblings: Susie Colville, Steve Johnson, Lee Tefteller, and their families.
She is predeceased by her husband Scott Twigg, her daughter Rachael Twigg, her sister Sally Vogt and her brother Ned Johnson. May the road rise to meet you, Barbara. Godspeed. A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 21st at 11:30 a.m. at St. James Church in Red Bank, followed by a small ceremony at St. Gabriel's Cemetery in Marlboro. Repast will be at Drifthouse in Sea Bright.