Barbara Mary Morrissey

barbara morrissey

May 9, 1949 ~ May 31, 2020

Born in: White Plains, NY
Resided in: New Haven, CT

Barbara (Blanchard) Morrissey, age 71, of New Haven, CT, passed away on May 31, 2020 at 4:00 in the afternoon. After a long struggle with cancer, Barbara died at home with her daughter Katherine and husband William at her side.

Barbara was born on May 9, 1949 in White Plains, NY. Barbara came from a family of artists and architects. Her father, Joseph Blanchard, was an artist and graphic designer. Her mother, Helen Blanchard, was also an artist. Her grandfather, Harry Allen, and her uncle, Bruce Allen, were architects with York and Sawyer in New York. Barbara grew up in Huntington, Long Island where she enjoyed horse back riding and Cold Spring Harbor. She graduated from Huntington High School and earned her B.F.A. at the Syracuse University School of Art. Barbara also took courses at the Rhode Island School of Design. In the New Haven area, Barbara initially balanced her time between working as an artist, at Cutlers Record Shop, Whitlock’s Book Store, and being a new mother. Later, Barbara became a kitchen and bathroom designer, earned her CKD certification, and worked for several area design companies including Raymar and Common Vision. Barbara also worked as a case assistant with Connecticut Community Care.

A talented artist and singer, Barbara loved art, dance, music, and theater. She greatly appreciated the New Haven, Hartford, Boston, and New York areas for their arts. Barbara was a member of local folk music groups, participated in Scottish contra dance, and loved to sing and to write music. Barbara was deeply religious and very active within Saints Aedan and Brendan Parish in New Haven.

She is survived by her husband William, daughter Katherine Morrissey, sister Kathleen Blanchard, and brother Pierre Blanchard, as well as her half-siblings Lisa Blanchard Pattenden, Joseph Blanchard, and Tim Blanchard.

Friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:00 A.M., Saturday June 13, 2020, at Saints Aedan and Brendan Parish, 112 Fountain St., New Haven, CT. Following Mass, interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, CT. Arrangements are in care of Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT. In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested that donations be made to the Connecticut Food Bank or Connecticut Community Care.

Services

Mass of Christian Burial: June 13, 2020 9:00 am

St. Aedan Church
112 Fountain Street
New Haven, CT 06515

203-389-2619

Graveside Service: June 13, 2020 11:45 am

Evergreen Cemetery
769 Ella T. Grasso Boulevard
New Haven, CT 06519

203-624-5505

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Guestbook

  1. The picture of Barbara clearly reflects the light she brought into the world, as well as the light of her curiosity and perseverance. May she rest in peace.

  2. Barbara was a lovely woman and a lovely singer; we’ve been part of the local folk music scene for many years, but I still remember that the first time I heard her I thought ‘I’d like to sing with her.’ I’ve been fortunate to do so many times since, and her voice and presence will be deeply missed.

  3. Aunt Barb was a wonderful woman and I wish we could be there on Saturday to celebrate her life with you. She will definitely be in our thoughts. We will all miss her so very much.

  4. Frank & Barbara Shaw
    Branford

    What a lovely, gentle soul Barbara was. We can still hear her voice… her tremolo as she sang acapella tunes at folk music gatherings. Another friend is gone. She will be missed.

  5. Barbara was such a gentle and beautiful spirit, a joy to be around. We had the pleasure to sing with her for many years, and her sweet voice enriched our gatherings immensely. We’ll miss her terribly.

  6. I’m going to miss Barbara very much. It was hard to lose her this way, but it’s some comfort that her suffering is ended.

  7. Barbara was a true friend whose zest for life and festive spirit lit up a room. I treasure her and the great times we shared. I will miss her tea parties, hand written cards, fairy gardens, encouragement and support. I will miss her deeply.Rest in eternal peace beautiful friend.

  8. I’m so sorry to learn of Barbara’s death. I knew her primarily during our years together at Woodbury Avenue Elementary School in the 1950s and early ‘60s, and she was a dear, sweet, kind little girl – a friend to everyone. I know she’ll be missed by all who knew her.

  9. We had so much fun at our 50th high school reunion in Huntington. We were in the same classes in elementary school and I often walked by her house on the way to school. I remember her parents attending school events. She was a creative soul.
    I wish I had known about her illness. As a cancer survivor, I would have wanted to lend support and easily could have gotten up to New Haven. She never mentioned it. Perhaps it was diagnosed afterward.
    Dance lightly over the bridge to paradise.
    Margie Winslow

  10. I worked with Barbara for only a short time but she was kind and lovely person. So sad to just now to learn of her passing. Rest in Peace Barbara.


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