Barbara Hatola, 68, of Metuchen, passed away at home on December 21, 2016. She was born in Perth Amboy on April 13, 1948 and resided in Metuchen since 1976.  Barbara was a preschool teacher at the Community Nursery School in Metuchen as well as a member of the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She received multiple awards and recognition for her teaching including "Teacher of the Year" from NAEYC's Kenyon Chapter. She was admired for her unconditional generosity to all, but most important was the love she had for her family.  She was an avid gardener and enjoyed annual family vacations in Cape May, NJ, however there was nothing that gave her greater joy than weekly visits to see her grandchildren in New York City and Port Washington.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 44 years, Stephen Hatola, of Metuchen; son, Daniel Hatola, and his wife, Christine, of NYC; daughter, Alison Grullon and her husband, Randy, of Port Washington, NY; four grandchildren: Madeline, Alexander, Ava and Lily; brother, Kenneth Oettle, and his wife, Robin, of Livingston, NJ.

The family will receive mourners on Tuesday, December 27th at 10 am at the Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home, 319 Amboy Ave., Metuchen, NJ 08840 with funeral services beginning at 11 am.  Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery in Metuchen.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to the American Cancer Society.