Barbara Carignan

BARBARA ANN CARIGNAN
October 16, 1946 - September 11, 2022.
Beloved Wife, Mother, & Grandmother (“MeMe”).

NAUGATUCK - Barbara Carignan, 75, of Naugatuck, unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of September 11, 2022, at Waterbury Hospital.

Barbara was born on October 16, 1946 to her late parents Stephen and Rose Zasimovich. She graduated from Wolcott High School, and began her early years working for Southbury Training School.

She was a loving wife to the late Arthur Francis Carignan for 26 years. Together, they opened not only their homes, but their hearts, to children in need for over 20 years, fostering over 57 children, and adopting 11. She was also the stepmother of Arthur’s 4 children from a previous marriage.

Barbara was honored as ’Mother of the Year’ in 2001.

She was predeceased by Arthur in 2009, after battling years of emphysema and COPD.

Barbara is survived by her children and grandchildren, whom she remained a very close relationship with until her untimely passing, including; Melissa Merdani and Fiancé Guy Boileau, of Naugatuck, and their 2 children; Nicholas and Amber. Erica Carignan and Fiancé Brett Irizarry, of Naugatuck, and their 4 children; Audrina, Aubree, Aria, and Junior. Allison Carignan and Partner Jesse Ahern, of Seymour, and their 2 children; Jordan and Mya. Aimee Carignan, of Naugatuck. Ryan (RJ) Carignan, of Naugatuck. And Lisa Carignan, of Torrington.

She also leaves behind her brother, Stephen Zasimovich, Jr., of Naugatuck. A sister, Terry Colucci, of Waterbury. Thomas Mitchell, of Harwinton. Justin Carignan, of Ohio. Jessica Carignan, of Washington State. Tanya Carignan, of Waterbury. Scott & wife Wanda Carignan, of Beacon Falls, and many other grandchildren and great grandchildren. Along with a few very close Friends; Vicky Paglia, Dawn Frohnhoefer, Irene Rodriguez, Ramona Ruiz, Ellen McBeth, and Debra Clemons.

Barbara’s whole life revolved around her children and grandchildren, spending most days with her youngest grandchild, Junior, who was the light of her life. Family was everything to her, and she considered herself to be beyond blessed with the Family she helped create. Never failing to express her unconditional love for them, and always telling them how much she loved them; “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and Always.” Outside of ‘Family Time’, fun activities included spending time with Friends at Bingo, with her trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Services will be held at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue in Naugatuck, on Friday, September 16 . Friends and Family may call at the Funeral Home between 5-8pm. A private Graveside Service with immediate Family & Friends will be at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, where she will be laid to rest beside Arthur.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Barbara’s Children/Grandchildren, c/o Erica Carignan/Aimee Carignan, of 5 Brighton Road, Naugatuck, CT, 06770.