Barbara REARDON

REARDON, Barbara (Perrin)


Barbara (Perrin) Reardon, 81, of Windsor, passed away at Hartford Hospital on August 28, 2013. Born in Middlebury, VT on June 28, 1932, daughter of the late Alice (Hayes) and Floyd Perrin, she lived in Ripton, VT for three years and then moved to Hartford, where she graduated a proud member of Hartford Public High School, Class of 1950. Upon graduation, she married Carl E. Reardon Jr., and became an Army Wife while he served in the Korean War, traveling back and forth to Aberdeen MD for Carl's posting. When Carl returned from military service, they made their home in Hartford. Barbara then worked for IBM and later WTIC-Channel 3 on the "New" Keypunch machines. There, she was a friend and co-worker of Bob Steele. In the mid-1970's, Barbara moved with her family to Windsor Locks. She became an antique dealer, seamstress, award-winning cake decorator, and baker. In 1977 she became a member of First Church in Windsor, UCC. She worked as church secretary and office manager during the tenure of her dear friend and Minister F. VanGorder "Van" Parker. While working at the church and following the death of her husband Carl in 1978, she earned her Bachelor's equivalency through Charter Oak College, in order to attend Hartford Seminary. At Hartford Seminary, she completed the A.C.E. Program and went on to become the Assistant of Christian Education and later Director of Religious Education at First Church. Barbara co-lead Confirmation classes and Youth Groups, mentoring many future members of First Church. After 15 years of service, she retired in 1997. She met and married her second husband, Norman L. Turnbull Sr., through the church. They went on to travel together to her Beloved Cape Cod, and Newport, RI; to Australia and Fiji and the Great Barrier Reef; they fished together in the Berkshires and in Florida, and they enjoyed Painting, Tennis and Golf. Barbara fought and survived many health challenges in her life, including three kinds of cancer. She was also a loving and determined caretaker for her husband Norman, while he fought Alzheimer's disease and passed at home in 2010; and also for her son and friend Carl III "Cyrt" as he fought cancer and passed in 2011. She was also predeceased by her oldest daughter Colleen in 2011; her brothers Clive and Carl Perrin; and a stepdaughter Westy Turnbull King, in 2000. Barbara is survived by her youngest daughter Corinne, her husband John F. Pierson III and their daughter Brighid of Windsor; Stepson Norman Turnbull, Jr. and his wife Karen of Florida; Stepson Barry Turnbull and his wife Corinne of Florida; Step-Grandson Norman Turnbull III, his wife Kate and their sons Nicholas and Christopher, of Vernon; Step-Granddaughter Kristylynn, her husband John Culpepper and her children Amanda and Joseph, of Manchester; Step-Grandchildren Brittany and Evan Turnbull of Florida and Michael Jones of Texas, and numerous Hayes, Perrin and Wilson Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Barbara also leaves behind many dear friends who had become family, including Gary and Leslie Adams and their son Ben; Maureen Army; Joyce Banta; Lynne Gillette and "The Gang"; Heidi Kelsey; Countless "Adopted" sons and daughter, as well as her beloved feline buddies.
A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, 1 p.m., at First Church in Windsor, Congregational, 107 Palisado Ave., Windsor. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Nelson Hall, adjacent to First church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Windsor Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 508, Windsor, CT 06095, and/or First Church in Windsor, Congregational "Organ Fund", 107 Palisado Ave., Windsor, CT 06095. Carmon Community Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements; to leave condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.