Barbara Ann DeFronzo

9/29/1941 - 8/15/2025

East Lyme - Barbara Ann DeFronzo, 83, passed away peacefully Aug. 15, 2025. She was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Hartford, the daughter of Walter and Stephanie (Staron) Cosgrove.

She is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Frank E. DeFronzo and by her eldest son Frank E. DeFronzo, Jr.

Mrs. DeFronzo graduated from Hartford High School in 1959 and one year later married her high school sweetheart. She spent two years as a secretary before starting her family. She is survived by her son Eric DeFronzo and partner Michele Quinn of East Lyme; daughter Lisa (Alan) Roessler of Waterford; granddaughter Jessica (Jeffrey) Onderdonk of East Lyme; grandson Joseph Roessler and fiancée Anna Taylor of Reston, Va.; two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Anders Onderdonk. Her sister Stephanie (Michael) Beninato of Enfield; brother John Cosgrove of East Hartford and sister-in-law Patricia (William) Cosgrove of Florida. She was predeceased by her brothers, William and Walter Cosgrove.

Barbara was a bright light in everyone's lives, a caring and selfless woman who made an impact on all those she met throughout her long life. As a 40-year breast cancer survivor she dedicated her time volunteering for Reach To Recovery helping breast cancer patients navigate through their journey. As a seasoned tap dancer she performed every other year as a cancer survivor in the dance and fashion shows held at Foxwood Casino to raise money for Reach To Recovery and cancer research. She enjoyed endless game nights with her sister and friends playing poker, set-back, and her ultimate favorite Mahjong. Proud of her Irish and Polish heritage she loved to cook traditional foods like her homemade Pierogis and Gwupkis. She will forever be remembered as fiercely dedicated to her family and holding a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff at Beechwood Retirement home and her dedicated Hospice nurses.

The family will receive extended family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, with service to follow at the Thomas L. Neilan & Son's Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. Interment will be at 1 p.m. at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield. Condolences may be shared on Barbara's memorial page on www.neilanfuneralhome.com.