Barbara Jean Brinkerhoff, 81 of Wappingers Falls, NY passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026 peacefully at her home, as per her wishes, from advanced dementia and a recent cancer diagnosis. She was surrounded by her loved ones continuously and her main caregiver was her devoted husband, Bruce. 

Barbara was born July 31, 1944 in Hartford, CT as the youngest of Joseph and Elizabeth Kruse. The family settled in Peekskill, NY. Barbara fiercely loved her family; her older sisters, Elizabeth and Margaret and her brother, Joseph. 

Barbara loved being a wife, a homemaker and mother. She was blessed with 3 children, Laura, Bruce & William. 

She enjoyed making home cooked meals and gardening. She loved to do crossword puzzles and word searches. She loved music and dancing; her favorite song was Dancing Queen or anything from ABBA. Every morning in the kitchen with coffee in hand was a few games of dominoes. Bruce and Barb have had a long running contest that started in 1969!! She was very patriotic and could be seen saluting the flag at a moment’s notice. She loved to walk all the time and be surrounded by nature. She had a quick wit with a glimmer in her eye. 

Barbara worked at IBM as a secretary where she met Bruce. After a short courting they married in a Nor’Easter on December 28, 1968. She was a stay at home mom for years. Barb eventually ventured back to work and chose to work in the Wappingers Central School District. She was loved and adored by the students and staff. Then came her most gratifying job and she took it seriously; Grandmother or NANNY to Zoe, Evan and Asher. She adored all three and loved to teach, to cook and bake for them, and to show her love for them. She would always say “I love you to the moon…” and the kids always replied “and back” and then together they would say “then some more”. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Elizabeth; her brothers- in-law, Mervin and Robert; her sister-in-law, Chong In; and her grandson, Chase. 

Barbara is survived by her sister, Margaret; her brother, Joseph; her loving husband, Bruce; her daughter, Laura and son-in-law Dave; her son, Bruce and her daughter-in-law Theresa; her son, William and her daughter-in-law Kara; her grandchildren, Zoe, Evan and Asher; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 20 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, West Main Street in Wappingers Falls.

To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.