Barbara Ann Desser

DESSER Barbara Ann Desser (Rosenberg) of Monroe, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford after several stays and out-patient treatments at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She was the wife of Phillip Desser and was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Sam Rosenberg. Barbara was born April 17, 1942 in Derby and grew up in Queens, N.Y. She graduated from Jamaica High School and was a theatre major and graduate of Hofstra University. Barbara's early life centered on a semi-professional acting career, first in college and the Queens area and then most actively at the Polka Dot Playhouse on Pleasure Beach in Bridgeport. She worked as communications director for DM Read's Department Store and for Physicians Health Services. She spent her early years as a teacher of professional children in New York City and later as a substitute teacher in Bridgeport. Among the more than 40 roles Barbara played, were the leads in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Night Watch, Wait Until Dark, Barefoot in the Park, The Runner Stumbles, and A View from the Bridge. She was production secretary and publicity chairman for Polka Dot for several years. Barbara also appeared at the Southbury Playhouse, Sacred Heart University, University of Bridgeport and several area dinner theaters. Besides her husband, Barbara is survived by three children, her daughter, Pati Taylor and her husband, Jay Thrift of West Yellowstone, Mont.; her sons, Scott Taylor and his wife, Valerie of Port Washington, N.Y. and Jason Desser and his wife, Christine of Monroe. She leaves one sister, Patty Brownstein and her husband, Alan of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; and a brother, Robert Rosenberg and his wife, Laura of Manalapan, N.J. Barbara leaves six grandchildren, Brittany, Leah and Kevin Taylor of Port Washington, N.Y., Emily and Kayla Desser of Monroe, and Christopher Dietl, currently serving in South Korea with the U.S. Army. Barbara is also survived by her adoring cousin, Karen Garrity of Seymour, as well as several other cousins, nieces and nephews, and her former husband, Charles Taylor of Miami, Fla. A memorial service will take place in the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, Tuesday at 2 p.m. Friends may greet the family beginning at 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara's memory to MADD, 565 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT 06473 or online at www.madd.org. If you are unable to attend, you may offer condolences to the family online at www.riverviewfh.com.