In Memory of

Barbara Shenise Lassen

Barbara Shenise Lassen attended West Milford High School in West Milford, NJ.

Class of 1971
Date of Passing Unknown

Barb was living in Vermont , she had retired from banking and was doing a lot of community theatre work with the kids in Rutland. She was much loved in her community. She was active til almost the very end. She leaves 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. She passed in November of 2023.

Classmate Memories

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Denise Hill '71 posted a photo:

Barb was always so much fun to be with! This group photo was taken on the 1971 Senior class trip to a resort in the Poconos. All of us girls were assigned a hotel room for changing into our bathings suits. The gaudy, “honeymoon” decor was hilariously funny to us! In true 1960’s style, it was weirdly “ Shag-a-licious”. Barb is front and center- working on a tan with a few of her many friends. Pete, Gary, Bill, Peggy, Cathy and Sharon. ( photo by Denise)

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Denise Hill '71 said:

Barbara Lassen Obituary
Barbara Lassen
RUTLAND – Barb Lassen, 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2023, at Rutland Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Paterson, New Jersey on September 8, 1953, to William Shenise and Theresa (Ramiccio) Shenise. She graduated from West Milford High School. She went on to spend the majority of her career in banking. Towards the end of her career and into the start of her retirement she found much joy serving as the Stage Manager for The Paramount Players as well as Stage Manager and most recently the Creative Director for Rutland Youth Theatre. She was extremely passionate about theater and how it benefited everyone involved from actors to patrons and everyone in between. She was a firm believer that theater opened doors for actors in all aspects of their life and there was nothing she loved more than watching them step out of their comfort zones and grow into their confidence both on and off the stage.

Barb placed an emphasis on dedicating her time and energy to all of her relationships whether it be with family, friends, customers at the bank or even strangers. She always had a smile on her face and was there for anyone whenever they needed her whether they needed a confidant, a shoulder to cry on, advice, encouragement or even just a Barb hug. She loved with all of her heart, was a role model to everyone and her laugh was infectious.

Time with her family and friends was the most precious to her. Her two daughters were her world along with her grandbabies. Barb’s favorite place on earth was at the beach, soaking in the warmth of the sun, listening to the crash of the waves and sipping wine with her sister Sharon, while filling their pockets with seashells. When we were growing up, the sounds of their laughter on family trips was music to our souls. She also loved spending time in her gardens, countless hours in her craft room, camping at Lake Bomoseen, watching the Yankees and her beloved Hallmark movies. She was the biggest cheerleader for her daughters in every aspect of their lives whether cheering from the sidelines at field hockey games or encouraging them to always chase their dreams. She was always there no matter what and she put her whole heart into everything she did. She was the definition of selfless.

She leaves behind her husband and soulmate of 23 years, Paul Lassen best known to her as “Lassen”, her daughters Katie (Jeff) Cary and Haley Lassen, her bonus daughters Jennifer (Jason) Rapcynski, Lisa (Doug) Sisson, Christina (David) Dombkiewicz, her grandchildren Collins Cary, Crew Cary, Hadley Rapczynski, Esmeralda Sisson, Isabella Sisson, Roman Dombkiewicz and Evangelina Dombkiewicz, her sister Jennifer (Matthew) Packard, her soul sister Sharon Rishell, nieces, nephews, cousins, chosen family and her beautiful community. Barb was predeceased by her parents..

Obituary located & posted by WMTHS classmate Denise (Hill) McCarthy 2026

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