Asbury Park Press

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A married mother of two who had been devoted to her family and her church died Monday morning in a collision that also sent two others to the hospital with injuries.

"She was my wife and best friend for over 35 years . . . She was loved by a lot of people," Daniel Foley, Barbara Foley's husband, said Monday.

Barbara Foley, 63, of Freehold Township, was traveling north on Millhurst Road (Route 527) in Manalapan around 8:45 a.m. when police believe she lost control of her vehicle as she exited a curve near Hidden Pond Court.

Barbara Foley's 1997 Saturn crossed the double yellow lines, the passenger side of her car hitting the front bumper of a 2004 Nissan Quest headed south, police said.

Barbara Foley was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan, Michael Nicoles, and his wife Laura, both of Manalapan, were taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township with chest and stomach injuries, police said.

They have since been treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The road was shut down for about three hours during the police investigation, police said.

At the time of the collision, Barbara Foley's husband said she was headed to her job as a property manager.

"She (Barbara Foley) was truly a magnificent person," Daniel Foley said.

Foley was a woman devoted to her family, which included two adult daughters, and to her church, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Freehold, Daniel Foley said.

"She was just a very God-loving woman. She wouldn't hurt a fly," said Daniel Foley.

Barbara Foley had been an active member of the church for more than 10 years. She served as a Eucharistic minister, which meant that she was able to administer and distribute the Eucharist to fellow parishioners during Holy Communion. She was also a sacristan, someone who helps set up the altar linens, vessels and other materials for Mass. She had most recently volunteered on the church's capital committee to help raise money for renovations, said St. Rose of Lima's Sister Claire McNichol.

Foley also belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America, and she and her husband were members of the Knights of Columbus, McNichol said.

"She just has a wonderful spirit . . . (a) very generous and caring person," McNichol said.

The Foleys had just returned from a vacation on Long Beach Island with their two daughters, Daniel Foley said.

"She (Foley) enjoyed her life. She enjoyed her family," Daniel Foley said.