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SIMSBURY, Connecticut -- Barbara C. Keily, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, with her children nearby.
Born on March 2, 1942, in Warren, she was the second oldest child and eldest daughter of the late Charles and Ann Chadwick.
A trailblazer in her own right, Barbara was the first woman in her family to earn a college degree at Youngstown University. She balanced her studies with work, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a determination to do things her way that she would carry with her throughout her life. Her love of children and education led her to a career as an elementary school teacher in Ohio, where her favorite moments were seeing the joy in little faces as they realized they could read.
In 1969, on a whim, she applied for a teaching position with the American Civil Service to work on U.S. military bases in West Germany -- and she got the job! This bold decision took her halfway across the world, where she spent more than a decade teaching the children of American service members, exploring and experiencing all that Europe had to offer in the 1970s. She formed lifelong friendships and created countless memories during her time abroad.
The one chance meeting that meant the most to her and was the most life-changing, was when she met her husband, John Keily (1946-2003), who was teaching overseas, after serving in Vietnam. They had both gone out for a night on the town in Boblingen, West Germany, with their respective friends. As often happens, those friend groups merged as they reminisced about life in the states and favorite childhood movies over good German beer. That connection led Barbara to John and, after a fun and adventurous courtship across the continent, they were married in Warren in 1974.
After their wedding they returned to work overseas, building a life in West Germany together. Barbara gave birth to her daughter, Lynn Anne, three years later in Baumholder. In 1980, they all returned to the states and settled in Simsbury, Connecticut. A few short years later, Barbara welcomed her son, Karl. She was a doting mom who loved reading to her kids, sewing clothes for their stuffed animals and dolls, volunteering to help at their schools and, in general, enjoying being a stay-at-home mom. As her kids grew older though, she decided to return to the workforce. Since education was forever close to her heart, she took a job at Avon Old Farms, in the school library, where she worked for 20 years to continue what could be called her life's mission -- to encourage a love of reading in children everywhere.
Barbara possessed a unique blend of qualities: a mischievous spirit, a sharp wit and a compassionate heart. She had a knack for finding humor and joy in a simple everyday life. She was also a calming presence, a steady hand always ready to help those around her. A devout Catholic, Barbara was a longtime member of St. Mary Parish in Simsbury, Connecticut. She was a dedicated volunteer counter for the church, prepared meals for local shelters, knitted prayer shawls and often donated her handmade hats and scarves to charity. Her faith and her desire to help her community were a source of strength and comfort throughout her life and in her final days.
Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She cherished her children, Lynn Anne and Karl, though in recent years they had both been supplanted by the true apple of her eye, her granddaughter, Bea. She was immensely proud of her children's accomplishments and even more so with their choice of partners, Mark and Kate, whom she adored.
Barbara is also survived by her siblings, Patty Curran (Jim), Charlie and Pat Chadwick, Margaret and Dave Burgess, Ed and Rachel Chadwick, John Chadwick (Mary Jane), and Roberta Sypherd; her in-laws, Carolyn Keily, Susan and Richard Zelman, Lois and Tom Byron, Kathy Keily (Doug), and Paul and Linda Keily; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, goddaughters and godsons, whom she loved.
Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love, patience and adventure will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Family and friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, Connecticut.
A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at St. Mary Church, 942 Hopmeadow
St., Simsbury.
Barbara's ashes will be interred in Simsbury Cemetery.
The family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to St. Mary Parish in Simsbury, Connecticut, or Gifts of Love in Avon, Connecticut.
For online tributes, please visit Barbara's Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com.
(special notice)