Barbara Bria, Age 75, passed away unexpectedly in her home on May 22nd, 2023.

She is survived by her beloved son Keenan Bria and her daughter-in-law Shannon Bria.  She is predeceased by her parents Madeline Nicastro and Joseph Nicastro.  Lastly, she was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Patrick Bria.  They loved to laugh, dance, take car rides and go out to eat together.  She is now with him and at peace.

Barbara graduated from Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT.  After her graduation, she worked as an Administrative Assistant for the police department.  She got hired to work as a Proofreader for the Danbury Times soon after that.  Following the Danbury Times, she spent the rest of her career as an Administrative Assistant for her husband's CPA firm.

After she retired, she volunteered at the Danbury Hospital.  She enjoyed greeting people and helping them where it was needed.  She was a member of the Bethel Women's Club, CFWC where she participated in clothing drives, board meetings, fundraisers, toy drives, etc…

Barbara had many hobbies.  Growing up, she competed and won roller skating competitions.  She read so many books in her lifetime that she could fill a public library. She would get lost in the stories.  What would take most people weeks to read would take her days. She enjoyed discussing what she was reading with anyone that would listen.  She loved to dance and listen to music.  You can bet your bottom dollar that DooWop music, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennett or Dean Martin would be playing on the radio when you entered her house.   She loved antiques and walking around antique stores or flea markets.  She had a natural eye for interior design.  Guests would walk into her home and would ask about the origin of her pieces/furniture.  She would flourish when she redecorated a room.

She was a dedicated Catholic.  She believed in God, first and foremost.  She believed God was here for all of us, and if we have faith then he will make everything alright.  She would say the rosary every night. She wouldn't go to sleep until she prayed for everyone she loved.  She even sent prayers for those that she didn't know that were less fortunate than her.

She was a very sentimental person.  She would go to a wedding, keep a ribbon from the table and add it to the couple's 1-year anniversary present.   She would spend time looking at pictures of memories that made her laugh.  She kept little mementos that brought her back to a time in her life that made her smile.

She loved her friends. She had friends that she knew for years and friends she had just met but rest assured that if you were her friend then you were her friend for life.  She would make sure to keep in touch with a conversation via telephone or text.  She enjoyed lunching with the ladies. She supported what her friends needed and in turn they supported her.  She was grateful for all of her friends. Her friends provided companionship and a sense of belonging for her, especially during the challenging and lonely times when her husband, Patrick, was sick.

She loved her family.  Family was one of the most important things to her.  She looked to family for emotional support.  Nurturing and stability. Shared experiences.  Love and Laughter.  Tradition.  When she was around her family she would be calmer and all things that bothered her would wash away for those moments.  She was a very quiet person but not at the dinner table with her family on holidays.  On holidays, you could hear her fill the room with chatter and laughter talking about the good ole' days.  She had the most fun with her sister, brother-in-law, cousins, nieces, great niece, nephew and all extended family.

Lastly and most importantly, she adored her son, Keenan.  She took pride in knowing that she guided Keenan by teaching him right from wrong, instilling values, and helping him develop a sense of responsibility and accountability. She was very proud of him.  She was a woman of few words but made sure to celebrate his milestones, academic successes, personal achievements, and support his goals and ambitions in her own way. She was proud of his professional achievements.  She was protective of him.  She was the matriarch of the family.  She was the mamma bear and loved her son with all of her heart.

"Quietly she lived, and quietly she departed, leaving behind a world touched by her gentle presence."

The funeral service will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 at 10:00amEDT.  Location: 30 Church St, Redding, CT 06896.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "Bethel Women's Club GFWC" and addressed to the Bethel Women's Club GFWC, Attention: Sue Geier, 15 Andrews Street, Bethel, CT 06801 in memory of Barbara Bria.

Keenan and Shannon would like to express their gratitude for all the love and support received during this time.  Thank you for the cards, calls, emails and other messages sent to the family.  It is much appreciated.