Westfield High Sweethearts Face Cancer Diagnosis, Need Support

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield High School sweethearts known as "Mr. and Mrs. Garwood" by many were recently struck with tragic news and are in need support from the community.

Barbara Tweedle, who recently celebrated her 63rd birthday, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. Her husband, Allan, has been a lifelong firefighter and just finished his term as Garwood's Fire Chief last year. The couple is renowned in Garwood for their tireless efforts to serve the community.

A close friend of Tweedle's for over 50 years, Coleen Hay, create a GoFundMe for the family during this difficult time. Money raised from the GoFundMe will go toward the mounting medical expenses that the family is facing.

"These are people that devote their life to volunteering," Jennifer Battiloro, also a close friend of the family, said. "It was never any question that [we needed to] help them out."

Hay said Tweedle is a pillar of the community, as she is incredibly selfless and always puts others before herself. Some of volunteer work she has done of the years includes serving as the Block Ambassador and volunteer in the Garwood Cares annual food drive, serving on the Mayor's Youth Commission in Linden, working as the DARE program coordinator with Lieutenant Samuel Rocco and many more.

Hay said she even dressed up as Mrs. Claus for the Borough of Garwood during Christmas time and that her husband Allan has been Santa Claus for more years than she can count.

"They are not only known as Mr & Mrs Garwood, but also Mr. & Mrs. Claus," Hay said.

Tweedle was also named the 2018 Person of the Year Award for the Education Foundation of Garwood.

In addition, Hay explained that she runs a community-wide food drive every year, and just before her diagnosis, Tweedle volunteered to help out at the drive. Hay said Tweedle was the first person to show up, pushing dollies of food all over the courtroom where it was being held. She said this is a testament to the kind of person Tweedle is.

"In one way, shape or form either Barbara, Allen, or both, have touched these residents," Battiloro said. "That's the kind of people we're talking about. [The GoFund Me] is a way for everyone in our community to give back to these people who have given so much to us."

The GoFundMe has already raised over $24,000 for the Tweedle family but still has a ways to go before meeting its goal of $50K.

Those interested in donating can visit the GoFundMe page at this link.

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