Barbara Elaine Mastro

Barbara Elaine Mastro, 77, of Naples, Florida, passed away on July 7, 2025.
Barbara was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 16, 1947, to Edward Joseph Falcone and Dorothy Evangeline Ellis. She graduated from Danbury High School, in Danbury, Connecticut in 1965. Shortly afterward-and somewhat impulsively-she moved to Hawaii to work for the Civil Service, inspired by a friend who had relocated there. On the day of her interview, she met the love of her life, "Johnny". Their first date was on Christmas Day, and just three weeks later, he proposed. They married five months after that and went on to share 56 beautiful years together.
After two and a half years in Hawaii, they moved back to Connecticut, where they made their home in New Milford for 38 years and raised their family. They later settled in Naples, Florida, in 2019.
Barbara spent many years as a stay-at-home mom before working at The Litchfield County Times as a typesetter and later as a secretary at the Danbury Box Company. She had a passion for gardening, cooking, holiday gatherings with her family, and traveling with her beloved husband.
Known lovingly as "Amma," Barbara was the heart of her family. Her Italian heritage and love of cooking came to life each holiday season, especially through her famous Christmas cookies. She also enjoyed wine with ice, visits to Texas Tony's, 5 Crowns, DD iced coffee, shopping, decorating her home, and playing Scrabble on her iPad with friends.
She met life's challenges with grace and fierce determination. After surviving a massive stroke in 2013, she recovered with remarkable strength, only showing minor signs on her right side. Later, she faced Stage IV Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, a rare cancer, with the same resilience-enduring ten rounds of chemotherapy with courage and grit.
Barbara is lovingly survived by her husband, John Mastro of Naples, Florida; her brothers, Robert Falcone (Mary Alice) and Edward Falcone (Janet); her sister, June Kenley; she was predeceased by her brother, Bruce; her daughter, Shannon (Todd) of Huntersville, NC; her son, Ryan of Chester, NJ; and her four adoring grandchildren, Ava, Ben, Violet, and Eli, who were her greatest joy. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Her cherished Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Teddy, will miss her dearly.
There will be no services in Florida, but a celebration of Barbara's life will be held in Connecticut in October. For updates, please visit her CaringBridge page, Barbara's CaringBridge.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of Barbara's chosen causes:
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• Avow Hospice of Naples Donate to Avow Donation Page
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Avow Hospice for their exceptional care during Barbara's final days.