Barbara H. Surprenant

Barbara H. Surprenant, 101, of New Britain, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Barbara was born in Wethersfield, to the late John and Mary (Anderson) Halisey in 1923. She grew up in Hartford and graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1942 and in 1944 she married the love of her life, Normand. In 1956 they moved to Tariffville and raised their family. During those years Barbara was active in the community, participated in school functions and charity work. When the children were older, Barbara went to work as a secretary at the Simsbury Police Department. She worked there until the mid-1970's when her husband opened a movie theater in Middletown. Several years later they opened a second theater in Olde Mystic Village where they worked together until they retired.
Barbara was happy in each of the places she lived, but her true home was at Lake Hayward in East Haddam, where she spent her summers beginning in 1938. She created beautiful gardens there and she loved nothing more than to have the cottage filled with family and friends. We all have many wonderful memories of times spent there with her. She lived her life with joy, compassion, generosity and love, and she enriched the lives of all who knew her.
Besides her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Normand H. Surprenant; her son, Normand J. Surprenant; and her daughter, Janet Kearney. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Kathleen Surprenant and her husband Michael Cipriano; her grandchildren, Trevor Kearney, Michelle Dibuono, Stacy Magowan, Garrett Dumore and Mignette Bogue; her great-grandchildren and her great-great-grandchildren.
A Calling Hour will be Tuesday, March 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com