Cecelian Francis Barr

Cecelia Frances Klein Barr died at Bridgeport Hospital on December 7, 2025, near her late-life home in Fairfield, CT.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 21, 1931, she was the daughter of Gene Brown Klein and Edna Giovanda. After graduating from Redford High School in January 1949, she immediately began working in the Guidance & Placement Department of the Detroit Board of Education. She administered aptitude tests and the General Educational Development test(G.E.D.) to young adults and veterans returning from WWII.

In August 1955, she met Robert Wilson Barr at Jack & Jill Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan. They were married at Calvary Methodist Church (now Redford Methodist) on June 16, 1956. The young marrieds purchased a home in St. Clair Shores, where their three daughters were born. Cecelia became a full-time homemaker. Cecelia and Bob were active members of Lake Shore Presbyterian Church, and Bob was a church officer.

In 1971, the family moved to Grosse Pointe Woods. During the girls' growing-up years, Cecelia returned to the work world. She held administrative positions at University Liggett School, Scientific American and the Junior League of Detroit. Upon retirement, she was made an honorary member of the Junior League of Detroit. After Bob died in 2001, she continued to lead an active social life in Grosse Pointe with friends and neighbors, and until age 90, maintaining her home and yard, which gave her great pride and joy. She loved flowers and gardening and was an active member of Deeplands Garden Club.

Cherished wife of the late Robert Wilson Barr and devoted mother to the late Jeanne (Steve) Carey of Falmouth, MA. Survived by beloved children, Susan (Gerard) O'Donovan of Fairfield, CT, Sheila (Scott) Holman of Washington, DC. Grandmother of Allison (Adam) Firely of Scituate, MA, Megan (Ian Duncan) Carey of Brooklyn, NY, Robert O'Donovan of Fairfield, CT, and Patrick O'Donovan of Somerville, MA, Laine and Wilson Holman of Washington, DC. Lucky great-grandmother to Charlie and Rose Firely of Scituate, MA. Also survived by nieces Margaret Kosal of Atlanta, GA, Siobhain (Larry) Weston of East Grand Rapids, MI, and Scott (Suzzanne) Gordon of Switzerland.

Cecelia and Bob had a fun life of traveling and playing golf with their many friends. She moved to Fairfield, CT, in 2021 and spent her final years at Sturges Ridge Assisted Living, where she continued to keep active and made many new friends. A passionate believer in women's rights, Cecelia was a lifelong fervent supporter of Planned Parenthood.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to Lake Shore Presbyterian Church and Planned Parenthood will be appreciated.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, December 18th, 2025, at Lesko Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT., from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 12:00 p.m.

For travel directions or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.