Elizabeth D. Barbano

Elizabeth D. Barbano, 94, of Milford, beloved wife of the late Guy R Barbano Senior, passed away peacefully on November 16, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. Elizabeth was also pre-deceased by her parents, Pasquale and Anna Rose (Gualtieri) D’Agostino; and her five siblings, Anna Marcello (James), Joseph D’Agostino (Winifred), Michael D’Agostino (Marion), Philomena DeStefano, and Mary Scacozo (John).

Elizabeth was born at home on May 2, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, the sixth and youngest child of Pasquale and Anna Rose (Gualtieri) D'Agostino, both immigrants from Pomarico, Italy.

Elizabeth, who survived polio as a toddler, grew up in  Flatbush, Brooklyn New York and attended Brooklyn College, the first coed liberal arts college in New York City. She was the first college graduate in her family and one of the few women in her class to complete a Bachelor’s degree. Elizabeth taught elementary school in Harlem, NY, before marrying her husband Guy. Elizabeth and Guy moved to Milford, CT, in 1960, where they raised their nine children and remained for the rest of their lives. 

Elizabeth was a determined and hard working woman devoted to her children and supporting her husband Guy in his multiple civic and community activities as Finance Director for the City of Milford, Alderman,  President of Milford Chamber of Commerce, and proud member of the Knights of Columbus.  In addition to raising her children, Elizabeth supported many children throughout her life as an educator and grant administrator at the Cardinal Sheehan Center in Bridgeport.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Daria Fitzgerald (Robert), Gaetana Barbano-Grinder (Kevin), Marisa Creaghan (Stephen), Roselle Jardim (Edward), Elizabeth Flynn (Jay), Adria Barbano, Patricia Barbano-Parczany (Dieter), Guy R Barbano Jr (Maura), Juliette Sabo (Louis); her grandchildren, Annarose Fitzgerald Steinke (Christopher), Maria Schroeder (Peter), Daria Fitzgerald (Coleman Hall), Zoe Barbano Grinder, Patrick Grinder, Mariella Creaghan, Elizabetta Fill (Timothy), Chiara Creaghan, Aya Creaghan, Melkamu Creaghan, Mulunesh Creaghan, Michael Jardim (Tasha), Mark Jardim (Rokshana), Thomas Jardim (Nerlande), Stephen Jardim (Monserrat), Sharonrose Jardim, Marisa Jardim, David Jardim, Jessica Gianfredi, John Flynn (Marykate), Evelyn Gray, Christopher Rosett (Lesley), Rose Rosett, Amelie Parczany, Guy R Barbano III (fiancé Alannah Basile), Giovanni Barbano, Mary-Elizabeth Sabo (Tim), Emily Sabo, Katie Sabo, Louis P Sabo III; and her great-grandchildren, Regina, Jonathan, Anthony, Robert, Charles, Nico, Luca, Elias, Inaaya, Nadege, Eva, Blaise, Inaaya, Flynn, Max, Kieran, Lukas, Ethan, and Timothy.

Elizabeth will be remembered as a model of perseverance and determination; overcoming paralysis and learning to walk again after the birth of fraternal twins. She was a gifted seamstress who designed and made wedding dresses as well as other heirloom-quality dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. Elizabeth was also a talented artist of pencil drawings, oil and pastel painting. She loved cooking, babies, dogs, dolls, music, and a fierce game of Scrabble, and all things Italian. Her multiple talents included a lovely singing voice which she shared on stage in a memorable performance of You Make Me Feel So Young directed to a baby doll in a highchair! She did not miss an opportunity to encourage her children to perform in talent shows and direct home performances as a family event. She will be deeply missed. 

Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford. A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 71 River Street, Milford (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Burial will take place at a later date. Please wear colorful attire to celebrate Elizabeth’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org), Operation Smile (operationsmile.org),  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®(https://secure.aspca.org/donate), or St Jude’s Children's Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate).

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