Barbara Ann Wichowski

Barbara Ann Wichowski, 78, of Osprey, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on September 15, 2026, following health complications.

Born on September 29, 1947 in Newark, NJ, Barbara was the beloved daughter of the late Hugo and Angelina Gizzi. She spent her early years primarily in Vailsburg, Newark and Oceanport. She was married to the late Thomas Spagnola who passed in December 2005. She spent most of her years in West Orange, where she lived with her daughter, Stacey. In 2020, Barbara and her husband, Tommy settled in Osprey, Florida, where she created a beautiful new chapter of her life filled with mahjong, bunko, new friendships, community clubs, and her involvement with Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Osprey.

Barbara was a graduate of Marylawn of the Oranges and Berkeley Secretarial School. For most of her adult life, she worked in the Stillman School of Business and the Admissions Office at Seton Hall University in various roles. She truly enjoyed her work, especially the opportunity to interact with and help students.

Barbara loved to travel and especially enjoyed trips to the beach, Italy, Disney, and Hilton Head, or anywhere a plane landed as long as it was warm. She was an avid card player, and rarely did anyone manage to beat her at gin rummy. She had a special affection for the long-time running soap opera, General Hospital, and for the music of Donna Summer, Bobby Darin, and Paul Anka. Most of all, she loved her family.

Barbara was a devoted wife, adoring mother, cherished mother-in-law, beloved grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a remarkable way of showing her love through her baking and cooking, and she never went anywhere empty-handed. Whether she was bringing one of her homemade dishes, baking something special, or simply making sure everyone was taken care of, her love was always evident in the things she did for others.

She will be forever remembered by her husband, Thomas (Tommy) Wichowski, to whom she was married for 32 years; her daughter, Stacey (Spagnola) Ret; her son-in- law, Gene Ret; and her treasured grandchildren, Nicholas and Angelina Ret, who affectionately called her Grammie; her step-daughter Tami Grancagnolo and her son, Jake Grancagnolo. She is also survived by her younger brother, David Gizzi, and was predeceased by her older brother, Leonard Gizzi.

Barbara leaves behind a legacy of love, recipes, traditions, and countless memories that will live on through the many lives she touched. Though her loss leaves an immeasurable void, her family finds comfort in knowing that the love she gave so freely will remain with them always.

Visitation services will be held on Monday, September 28 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm at Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave. Union, NJ.

Funeral mass will be at Holy Spirit Church in Union on Tuesday, September 29 at 10:15AM.

Burial services will follow at Hollywood Memorial Park, located at 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue in Union.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in her name to either of her two favorite charities: St. Jude Research Hospital for Children or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Barbara’s passing leaves a profound loss in all of us and will be deeply missed and forever loved.