Barbara Kocur

WETHERSFIELD

Barbara "Basia" Kocur (ne Szymanowski), 74, a woman whose vibrant spirit filled every room, passed away peacefully in Wethersfield, on April 29, 2025, surrounded by her loving children, Latisha and John, and daughter-in-law Ilona.. Born on December 23, 1950, in Lomza, Poland, to the late Janusz and Zofia Szymanowski, Basia embarked on a courageous journey at age 16, immigrating with her family to the United States. Settling first in New Britain and later Newington, she built a life defined by resilience, love, and an undeniable spark. In 1971, she married John Kocur. As the proud owner of Cut and Style Salon, Basia didn't just style hair - she boosted confidence and brightened days with her touch and conversation. But her true passion was family and fun. Laughter was the soundtrack to cherished vacations in Florida and Cape Cod, and she presided over countless spirited card games (good luck trying to beat her!). Basia embraced life with infectious joy and seemingly boundless energy, finding pure bliss on sunny afternoons harvesting fresh strawberries and blueberries. With a song always ready, she was often the first on the dance floor, and her enthusiastic singing of 'oldies but goodies' (especially 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'!) became a beloved family memory. She leaves behind a legacy sparkling with love, laughter, and her tenacious spirit. She is survived by John Kocur, with whom she shared many years of her life; her children and their spouses: Latisha Valentine and Edmund, John Jr. and Ilona Kocur, and Jason and Jen Kocur; her adored grandchildren, who were the light of her life: Taliah Elektra, Tatianna Storm, and EdMoon Zavier; Joey and Max Kocur; Keira Kocur; and she was eagerly anticipating the arrival of another granddaughter in October 2025. She is also survived by her siblings, Henry Szyman, Robert Szymanowski, and Halina Brojek; and by many loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, May 7th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Burritt Hill, 332 Burritt St., New Britain. Her funeral service will begin on Thursday, May 8th at 10:00 a.m. at Burritt Hill, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, New Britain. She will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. To celebrate Basia's colorful personality, we'd love it if those attending the wake or funeral could add a splash of red or a touch of cheetah print to their attire. It would be a fun way to honor her vibrant spirit! To share a memory or condolence, please visit us at www.duksa.net.

Barbara (Szymanowski) Kocur