Barbara Jean Thomas
September 6, 1943 ~ March 8, 2025
Born in:
New Haven, CT
Resided in:
Orange, CT
Barbara Jean (Benton) Thomas, age 81, of Orange, passed away peacefully at her home on March 8, 2025, after a long illness. Born in New Haven on September 6, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Louis T. Benton, Jr. and Hertha E. Benton.
Barbara was the beloved widow of James E. Thomas, Sr. She is survived by her son, Scott A. Thomas of Austin, Texas; her stepson, James E. Thomas, Jr. of Newington, CT; her sisters, Hertha Russell of Branford and Sandra O’Donnell of Florida; and several cherished nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Louis Benton, III, and her sisters, Judith Johnson and Gerrie Amendola.
In her earlier years, Barbara worked for A&P Stores and later became the proud Owner of the Viking Route of the Entenmann’s Company. She was known for her warm heart, sense of humor, and her love of bowling and playing volleyball-two activities that brought her great joy and lasting friendships. She was also an avid collector of Norman Rockwell pieces, drawn to their warmth, nostalgia, and reflection of American life.
The Thomas family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated team at Orange VNA & Hospice. Their compassionate care, kindness, and support during Barbara’s final days brought comfort and peace to both her and her loved ones, and their presence will never be forgotten.
Arrangements for Barbara will be private with her family, per her wishes. To send a condolence, please visit her obituary page at: www.beecherandbennett.com.
Mom… I don’t even know how to begin because no words feel big enough to carry the love I have for you—or the weight of this loss. You were my protector, my comfort, my rock. You always had my back, even when I didn’t deserve it. You loved me through every high and low with a kind of love that only a mother can give… steady, fierce, and endless.
You were the one I turned to when life felt too heavy. You just knew how to make things feel safe, even in the middle of chaos. I’ll never stop needing you, and I don’t know how to do this without you.
There’s an emptiness now that nothing can fill. But I carry you with me in everything I do. Your strength, your laugh, your quiet way of always knowing what to say. You were everything to me, Mom. And I hope you always knew just how deeply I loved you.
Rest easy now. I’ll keep you with me, always.
Love forever,
Scott
When we were younger Mom would take Emily and I to visit you and Grandpa every holiday and we’d color in the dinning room, play with the big piano, do archery in the backyard with Grandpa, play with Buster and watch the Simpsons in the living room. I have a vague memory of there being a large picnic table, I think we had a big Thanksgiving dinner outside. We haven’t had a car in years so we’ve been stuck away. We last talked on the phone in December, you’d ask how work and my cs certificate was going, I’m happy you got to see I finished it. I was going to give you a surprise phone call because I hadn’t heard from you in awhile and then I found out what happened.
You were ahead of your time with technology, Mom would call you for help with my new computer and our new fridge in the early 2000s and you could fix anything. I would use that computer to email you ‘jokes of the day’ that were actually jokes I found on popsicle sticks. There’s a character in a game I play named Barbara who I often help and every time I go to her it feels like I’m visiting you, I even put up a plaque outside that says, “Grandma’s House :)”.
When Mom passed you gave me the idea to include a photo of everyone for her so we’d all be with her forever, I’m glad I did that and I know you’ll also be with us forever too.
Rest in peace Grandma, love Brian ❤️