Barbara Sena

Barbara Marie Sena, 79, of Harrington, DE formerly of Plainfield, NJ, passed away on Friday, May 19 surrounded by her loving family.  Barbara was born in New Brunswick, NJ to the late Rita and Walter Phillips.

Barbara graduated from Holy Trinity High School, class of 1961.  After high school, she attended Berkley Secretarial School and became certified as a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) through the National Legal Secretaries Association. Barbara worked as a secretary for several companies and law offices. She also worked as a judicial secretary in Hunterdon County, NJ. Throughout her career Barbara traveled to many conferences and actively participated in company bowling and softball leagues. In 2006 she retired from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Barbara remained active in her retirement and was a beloved member of the St. Bernadette Catholic Church of Harrington where she devoted her many talents to writing the church bulletin, singing in the choir, assisting the Knights of Columbus, and participating in countless charitable activities. She was also a member of the Harrington Senior Center and the Harrington Moose Lodge 534.

Barbara had a vibrant personality and made friends everywhere she went. True to her Irish roots, Barbara loved to gather with friends and family to share a great meal, a few drinks, memories, and countless laughs. She loved music and enjoyed singing, line dancing, and going to concerts. She also enjoyed bowling from an early age and most recently served as the treasurer for her local bowling league. She was an avid reader and often read several books simultaneously, especially mysteries and romance novels. Barbara also had a great sense of style and was known for always putting together the perfect outfit with coordinating jewelry, shoes, and purses.

Above all, Barbara took immense pride in being a Mom, Nana, and most recently a Great Nana. She especially loved celebrating holidays and her family’s accomplishments and milestones. She was loving, generous, spirited, and devout and will forever be missed by all who knew and loved her.   

In addition to her parents, Barbara is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years Ralph Sena, Jr., brothers-in-law, Anthony, Richard, and Lawrence Sena and her sister-in-law Linda Sena.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in law, Ralph W. and Mia Sena, Todd A. and MariJo Sena; sister and brother-in-law Lorraine and John Reynolds, sister Trudy Sena, sister-in-law Corinne Sena, brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Nancy Sena; grandchildren, Noah, Niles, and Casey Sena, Leslee and Brandon Berger, Francesca and Michael Robinson, Joseph and Elizabeth Sena; great-grandson Bryce Lee Berger; numerous nieces and nephews, and devoted friend and companion Jay Biggs.

A Funeral Mass will be held at the Saint Bernadette Catholic Church in Harrington on Friday, May 26th at 11 AM.  A visitation for family and friends will be held at the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, Thursday evening the 25th from 5 to 7 PM.  A private interment will be held at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Millsboro, at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 109 Dixon Street, Harrington, DE 19952; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 (www.stjude.org/donatetoday); or to the Food Bank of Delaware 1040 Mattlind Way, Milford, DE 19963 (www.fbd.org/get-involved/donate-money).

Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home Inc, Harrington, DE.  Visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to send flowers or sign the condolence book.

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