Barbara Portonova

1949 - 2016

Barbara (Gordon) Portonova, 66, of Wethersfield, formerly of Rocky Hill, loving, devoted and inseparable wife of the late Frank J. Portonova, Sr., for 42 years, died peacefully, Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Hartford Hospital with her family by her bedside. She was born September 19, 1949 in Hartford and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Helen Gordon. Barbara worked with her late husband at their former business, Dinosaur Automotive in Rocky Hill for many years. She enjoyed going to the casino and the beach and was an amazing cook who was very devoted to her family. A loving mother, grandmother and genuine friend, Barbara will be dearly missed by her daughter, Trina M. Portonova and Gregory Nolan of Newington and son, Frank J. Portonova, Jr. and fiancée Midge A. Carlson of Wethersfield and her four adored grandchildren who were the light of her life, Frank J. Portonova, III, Alyssa N. Portonova, Anthony M. Portonova and Natalie Portonova-Nolan. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathy Sitaro and husband Frank of Wethersfield and Jayne Gordon-Dimanno of Hartford; two sisters-in-law, Olympia Antolini of Rocky Hill and Millie Phelps and husband Paul of Hartford, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins, among them a special little girl who captured her heart, her great-niece Addi. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Anthony Portonova. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Calling hours will be Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the Frank J. Portonova, Sr. Memorial Fund, C/O Trina Portonova, 73 Robbins Ave., Newington, CT 06111. To share a memory of Barbara with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.