Barbara Jo BJ McFadden, 77, of Newcomerstown, passed away on Monday October 20, 2025, at Riverside Manor in Newcomerstown after a long illness. BJ was born on March 3, 1948, in Zanesville to the late Robert and Vivian (Mitchell) Mathew. Barbara graduated from Jefferson High School in 1966 and went on to earn her bachelor s degree from Muskingum College. BJ spent her career teaching at Indian Valley, Claymont, and Newcomerstown schools. She was a member of the Kimbolton Methodist Church. She was a lifelong Girl Scout and Leader, a Longaberger consultant, and the President of the Newcomerstown Historical Society, serving as program director for several years. BJ was committed to the arts; she taught piano lessons for many years, was heavily involved in the Sweetheart Follies and the Victory Canteen Singers, she ran the drama program at Newcomerstown for many years, was a lifelong director of church choir, and in 2020 was the recipient of the Manuel Yingling Music Award from ArtsNCT. She was very creative and was a big proponent of working with her hands, whether painting, quilting, crocheting, knitting, or gardening; she was also an avid reader. On December 20, 1969, she married Eugene Ray McFadden, who survives. In addition to her husband Ray, BJ is survived by her daughter, Amanda Ruth McFadden (Justin Perkins) of Rushsylvania; her son, Mitchell Ray McFadden of Cleveland; her granddaughter, Eleanor Phoebe McFadden; and her brother, David (Donna) Mathew of Dresden.