Barbara J. Gavagan

Barbara J. (Webb) Gavagan, 77, of Danbury, wife of Roger E. Gavagan, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Danbury Hospital on Sunday, October 10th. She was born in Danbury on November 23, 1932, daughter of the late Wilma (Smigala) Webb and the late William H. Webb. She was a graduate of Bethel High School, Class of 1950. Barbara and Roger were married on August 28, 1954, and the two shared 56 years together, raising their family. She worked at Grolier in Danbury for eight years where she made many friends. Barbara was an active parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Church and was a founding member of the Ladies Guild. She also volunteered as a teacher's aide at St. Gregory the Great School. Above all, Barbara was a homemaker who devoted her life to her family. Her happiest moments were spent with her cherished grandchildren, baking cookies, reading to them, watching their sporting events, or simply "slipping them a few dollars." Barbara's true gift was the ability to make friends everywhere she went. She touched many lives through her humor and quiet generosity. Her home was a welcome place for all, and there was always room for one more at the dinner table. Barbara's life was her husband, Roger, and her four daughters, Bonnie A. Cypher, Kathleen A. Weinzierl, Elizabeth M. Burandt and her husband, Horst, Patricia W. Tharas and her husband, Michael; her grandchildren, Justin Weinzierl and his wife, Dayane, Chad Weinzierl, Seamus and Sean Cypher, Jordan and Elise Barbara Burandt, Sophia Wilma and Cloe Tharas. She will also be missed by her brother, Herbert A. Webb and his wife, Lisa; her brothers-in-law, Rodney L. Bourdeau and Vincent Gavagan Jr. and his wife, Eleanor of Inverness, FL; sisters-in-law, Ona-May Hancock, Marilyn Miller and her husband, Neil of Ormond Beach, FL; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and her dearest friends, Rosemary Peat, Claire Dunn, and Ellen Kaminsky. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Barbara Jean and her beloved sister, Wilma Bourdeau. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 14th at 10 am at St. Gregory the Great Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Wednesday evening between the hours of 4 to 8pm. Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to Healing Hearts, A Program of Regional Hospice, 405 Main St. Danbury, CT 06810. To light a candle of hope and remembrance please visit our website at www.CornellMemorial.com.