Constance "Connie" A. (Hartfelder) Baran

Constance “Connie” A. Baran (nee Hartfelder), 87, of the Gardens of Pleasant Plains, Toms River, NJ passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023.

Born in Plainfield, NJ, she grew up in Edison, NJ, and graduated from Metuchen High School. She also went on to attend Drake Secretarial School in Plainfield. As a child, being a lover of the beach, Connie's summers were spent in Seaside Park with her family.

She became an accredited Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), as well as a life member of the Edison First Aid Squad #2. Unfortunately, she was widowed at an early age and had to raise her children, on her own. At the age of 39, she decided to go back to school and attended Middlesex County Adult Technical School, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse. While working at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Connie also attended additional classes and became a certified alcohol counselor in the State of New Jersey. Working as a nurse counselor, she retired from Raritan Bay Medical Center in 1998 at the age of 62. In 1994, Connie became a resident of the Gardens.

Connie also worked for the Board of Elections as a poll clerk in Seaside Park, Edison, and Toms River for the past 40 years. She also completed extensive Medical Reserve Corps Training classes, administered by the Ocean County Health Department and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

She has been a member of the Red Hat Society, "Garden Girls" since 2005, and she has been an active bowler ever since her high school days. She also enjoys playing cards with friends in the neighborhood. In addition, Connie has been active in the Gardens, participating in the Social Club, Bingo, Shuffleboard, and serving on the Board as the Real Estate Trustee for the Homeowners Association.

Connie was predeceased by her husband, Andrew Baran, in 1967.

She is survived by her daughter Carol Howard and her husband Vernon of Toms River, Andrew Baran of Barnegat, NJ, a brother George Hartfelder of Palm Coast, FL, five grandchildren Rachel Gesicki, Rebecca Casey, Emilia Baran, Layla Baran and Nathan Baran, and four great grandchildren Richard, Estrella, Jimena and Matthew.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, August 11, 2023 10:00am - 12:00noon with a funeral service to be offered at 11:15am at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River.  Private family burial at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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