Barbara Jean Messenger

CHESHIRE – Barbara Jean Messenger, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Cheshire Regional Rehabilitation Center.

Ms. Messenger was born April 3, 1933, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Ray F Messenger Sr. (former police chief and 1st Selectman of Middlebury and late Mary (Walker) Messenger.

Ms. Messenger is survived by her nieces, Donna Wells & Darcey Ahearn and nephews Dave Messenger, Richard Messenger, Randall Messenger and Dann Messenger. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Ray F. Messenger Jr.

She attended Shepardson Grammar School in Middlebury, Crosby High School and graduated Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing in 1955. A registered nurse on staff at Waterbury Hospital from 1955 to 1971 and a member of the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She went on to retire from Sheridan Woods Health Care Center, Bristol in 1999. Through the years she held many positions such as Charge Nurse, Director of In-Service Education, Instructor of Nurses Aide Training Programs and Assistant Director of Nursing Service. She dedicated her life to the care of others.

As a Middlebury resident for the first 40 years of her life, she was a member of the Middlebury Congregational Church and the Adult choir. In 1973 she then made Waterbury her home.

She was a former member of the Waterbury Assembly #13, Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Since 1964 she served as a member of the Pomperaug Chapter #88 Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in 1971.

Barbara was an avid bowler and at one time, bowled in six sanctioned leagues at week.

In 1962 she was instrumental in organizing the Coffee Time Doubles League at Lakewood Lanes and she was its Secretary for the 38 years of its existence. She often bowled in county and state championships and was a former member of the Board of Directors and an officer of the New Haven County Women’s Bowling Association.

For several years she was an elected delegate to the National convention of the Women’s International Bowling Congress and she bowled in national championships wherever she went. Needless to say, bowling was her passion.

She was a lover of cats, going to the theatre, the UCONN Huskies (both men and women), NY Yankees and anything Chocolate! She will be dearly missed.

ARRANGEMENTS – A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 18, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. at Middlebury Cemetery, Cemetery Rd. Middlebury. Friends are asked to meet directly at the cemetery. There are no calling hours and the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, 65 Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.