Plan for the Future
Barbara (Bobbie) Melander Minor, age 95, died on December 15, 2023 in Chatham, NJ. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Rice (Max) Maxey Minor, Jr. and her sister, Nancy Putnam Pettit.
Bobbie was born in West Orange, NJ on September 17, 1928, to Alf and Elsie Melander. She was an excellent student and graduated from Chatham High School in 1946. She remained in touch with her classmates, organizing and attending many reunions. Bobbie began her post-secondary education at Endicott Junior College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1948 and then earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Drew University in 1950.
While a student at Drew, she met Max, and they were married on March 18, 1951. Max’s career as a chemist took them to multiple locations in New Jersey, upstate New York and Connecticut. They settled in Chatham in 1975, moving into Bobbie’s childhood home.
Alf and Elsie purchased a former houseboat, now a cottage, which became a beloved summer home in Harvey Cedars, NJ. The “Showboat” was one of Bobbie’s favorite places. She spent hours playing bridge there, reading books and swimming across the bay. Fortunately, the house has been kept in the family and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will create treasured summer memories there.
To see Bobbie at her most joyous was to see her surrounded by children and grandchildren at Christmas. With pure Swedish heritage, her smorgasbord on Christmas Eve was a sight to behold. The house was decorated with Swedish elves (tomte) and handknit stockings hanging by the fireplace. In her earlier years, her children could expect to receive Irish knit sweaters and other handmade items with a “made by Bobbie Minor” label affixed to them.
Bobbie loved and excelled at bridge, reaching the rank of Ruby Life Master having earned over 2300 masterpoints. She was an active member of the American Contract Bridge League from 1972 until 2017. As a grandparent, she taught card games to the children as soon as they were able to hold the cards.
She volunteered for the Chatham Friends of the Library for many years. Reading was a passion of hers and she loved murder mysteries. She was an avid fan of tennis and to her last days, spent hours watching tournaments on television.
Bobbie is survived by her children, Laird (Nancy) of Simpsonville, SC, Craig (Laura) of Bristol, CT, Lise Brikowski of Dover, NJ, Hali (Mark) Luria and Emily Melander of Chatham, NJ; grandchildren, Natalie (Ryan) Ponte, Nolan Luria, Douglas (Ever) Minor, Aubrey Luria (Sean) Walsh, Duane Brikowski, Elke Luria, Kira Brikowski, Inga Luria and Greta Luria. She was also blessed with four great grandchildren: Milo and Sebastian Ponte, Gwendolyn Minor and Daphne Luria Walsh. The family is particularly grateful to daughter, Emily, who lived with and cared for Bobbie in her final years.
Visiting hours will be held from 11 am to 1 pm on December 23, 2023 at the Bradley Funeral Home at 345 Main Street, Chatham, NJ with interment at the Fair Mount Cemetery to follow. The family notes that Bobbie had requested contributions in her memory to the Friends of the Library of the Chathams at www.friendsofthechathamlibrary.org or by sending a check to: Friends of the Library of the Chathams, 214 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928.
