Barbara E. Hudson

I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

(nee Mantro) Barbara E. Hudson, on November 24, 2022, age 87 of Cherry Hill, NJ.  Loving mother of Valerie Hudson and the late Victoria Long.

Barbara E. Hudson was born on March 20, 1935 to the late Herbert G. Mantro and Mary Mantro in Brooklyn, New York.  Barbara’s mother passed away in Brooklyn, New York in 1939 at the age of 29 years old.  Barbara’s father married Ruth Smith in 1941 and raised Barbara and her two brothers Herbert and Eugene Mantro initially in Brooklyn, New York.  Barbara was educated in The Brooklyn Public School System until the family moved to Philadelphia.  Barbara continued her education in The Philadelphia Public School System and graduated from West Philadelphia High School.

Barbara learned to play the piano at the tender age of six years old.  Barbara was incredibly gifted and by the age of nine years old she was playing classical music without sheet music.  Barbara’s grandmother taught her to sew at an early age.   Barbara began to make her own dress patterns out of newspapers and continued to do so until she became ill. 

Barbara worked at The University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Microbiology upon graduation from high school.  In 1963, Barbara became employed at The Philadelphia Family Court of Common Pleas where she was a loyal and dedicated employee for 38 years. 

Barbara’s first marriage was to William Long.  To this union, one daughter was born, Victoria Long.  Sadly, Baby Victoria passed away shortly after birth.  Barbara’s second marriage was to Henry David Hudson.  To this union, one daughter was born, Valerie Yvonne Hudson.

As a young woman, Barbara loved to travel and she enjoyed the theater.  Barbara was an avid reader with an intense love of word history and world politics.  Barbara was also a dog lover with a fond affection for cocker spaniels.  She cooked a fresh dinner for her dogs every night that consisted of chicken, rice, carrots and string beans.  Barbara also continued her passion for sewing and she continued to make some of her own clothing until she became ill.  Barbara loved her family and enjoyed traveling back to Brooklyn, New York for family functions.  She enjoyed cooking with her mother during the holidays for the big family dinners that once were.  Barbara also enjoyed entertaining family and friends by the pool at our first family home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Barbara was a firm believer in education.  She instilled the importance of education to her daughter Valerie at an early age.  Barbara also instilled the importance of being loyal, trustworthy, hard work, independence, the importance of forgiveness and the power of prayer.  Barbara was also a firm believer in civil rights.  Many times she shared the story with her daughter about the time she went to The March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Barbara defied her father and took the bus trip from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., when she was told not to go.

Barbara belonged to Tindley Temple United Methodist Church for 77 years where she served on the usher board.  Even during her illness she never lost her faith in God.  Barbara was a resilient woman with a strong constitution.  Barbara was preceded in death by her first born child, Victoria Long.  Barbara leaves to mourn her passing, her only living child, Valerie Yvonne Hudson and longtime friend, neighbor and caregiver, Charles Allen Spencer, Jr.  Barbara leaves to reflect on her life:  1st cousins William Simmonds and Joanne Davis, one nephew Butch Mantro, three nieces, Felicia Norris, Denise Mantro and Jeannie Moses.  Barbara also leaves three great nephews, Jamel, Matthew and Kwame Mantro and three great nieces,  April Ford, Cassandra Moses and Samantha Moses.  Barbara also leaves a host of great-great nieces and nephews and great, great, great nieces and nephews.  Barbara also leaves her lifelong, childhood friend of 81 years, Barbara A. Willis of West Philadelphia.

Lovingly and sorrowfully submitted,

Valerie Yvonne Hudson

Relatives and friends of the family will meet for her viewing and funeral service on Saturday afternoon, December 3rd from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the BOCCO FUNERAL HOME, 1300 North Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.  Funeral services will be conducted Saturday 3:00pm in the funeral home.

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