Barbara Hessinger, of Red Bank, Descendant of Benjamin Franklin, Dies at 80

Barbara Bache Birt Hessinger, 80, of Red Bank, who was a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin, died on March 26.

Hessinger was born on July 16, 1932 in Columbus, Ohio and lived in West Caldwell for more than 50 years before moving to Red Bank in 2011 to be near family.

Barbara was the eighth great granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin. After growing up in Ohio, earned a degree in psychology from the University of Dayton and worked as a social worker and mental health counselor.

She married her husband Philip S. Hessinger in 1953 and leaves him behind. The couple would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. She died two days shy of it.

Barbara and Philip were avid travelers. She was a community volunteer and activist who was heavily involved with organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Help Line Crisis Intervention and the Roundtowners Dinner and Dance Club.

In addition to leaving behind her husband Philip, she is survived by: two children, Stephen, of Fair Haven, and Susan Reid, of Tinton Falls; her brother, Jim; her brother-in-law, Bill Hessinger; and six grandchildren.

There will be a private memorial in the future.