Barbara A. Billington-Funk Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

BILLINGTON-FUNK (nee Szwak), Barbara A. – 77, of Cape May passed away in the comfort of her home with her family at her side on Friday, April 28, 2017. Barbara attended Elementary and High School in Cape May during the 1950s. She left to pursue a career in nursing, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1960 (Episcopal Hospital, Philadelphia). She later earned the following professional degrees: State University of New York (Bachelor of Science, Nursing, 1985). Widener University (Master of Science, Nursing Administration, 1989). Widener University (MBA Health and Medical Services Administration, 1990). Barbara’s 47 years in nursing involved care delivery in a wide variety of clinical settings. In later years, she settled into home care and hospice administration and government patient abuse investigation and inspection work: Director of Professional Services and Acting Administrator, Our Lady of Lourdes Home Health and Haddon Health Services, Collingswood, NJ; Health Care Administrator, Ocean County Service Area – Toms River, Holy Redeemer Visiting Nurse Agency, Inc; Director, Trinity Hospice, Visiting Nurse Service System, Runnemede, NJ; Home Care Director, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, MD; Field Inspector, Delaware Health Department, Wilmington, DE; Investigator, Centers for Medicare Services, Philadelphia, PA. In 1998, Barbara and her husband purchased property in Cape May, and retired here in 2007. Barbara was one of those rare people whose optimism and love of life was infectious, lighting up nearly everyone and everything she touched. There was a caring side of her that constantly reached out to others, especially in her nursing practice. She took great pride in her profession and was the embodiment of its finest qualities: intelligent, industrious, competent, positive, warm, honest, concerned, supportive, sensitive, accepting, and welcoming. She always followed her dreams, often dragging everyone else along. She loved to wander off the beaten path. She loved sunsets. She loved Cape May. She approached life to the very end with arms wide open. She is predeceased by her brothers, Tony and Donald Szwak. Barbara is dearly missed by her loving family which includes her husband, Allen W. Funk; children, Robin Billington (and Patricia Davis), Charles (and Brenda) Billington and Brenda (and Edmund) Navarro; sister, Bonnie (and Brian) Basara; brothers, Raymond and Robert Szwak; grandchildren, Steven, Kaci, Brandon, Britany, Owen and Olivia. Funeral services are being held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Habitat for Humanity, online at www.habitat.org

Barbara A. Billington-Funk

May 11, 1939 - April 28, 2017