Barbara R. Calkins

1940 - 2023

Preston - Barbara R. Calkins, 83, a resident of Preston, died at home surrounded by her family Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, following a brief unexpected illness. Born in Norwich, she was the daughter of the late Newell and Dorothea (Stevens) Rist and lived in Preston since 2005, previously residing in Pawcatuck for many years.

Barbara was a bookkeeper for many years, and a familiar face to many in the Mystic area, employed for numerous local businesses and was still actively working up until her illness. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, avid gardener; and she loved to read.

She is survived by her three children, Julie Fox and her husband Douglas of Preston, Aaron Calkins and his wife Maria of Coventry, and Matthew Calkins of Preston; four grandchildren: twins, Cody and Tyler Calkins, and Bethany and Benjamin Jones. Barbara is also survived by her niece Debbie Wasilewski; two nephews, George and Shane Perkins; and her extended family, Sharon Wadecki and her husband Thomas of Ledyard and their families; and Rick McKittrick and his wife Kathleen of Colorado, and their families. She was predeceased by her two sisters, Ellen Perkins and Irma Rist; and her soulmate of thirty years, Richard "Dick" McKittrick.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A calling hour will be from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Her burial will be held privately at a later date.

The Calkins family would like to thank the Hospice Team of Hartford Healthcare at Home staff for the care and compassion given to Barbara during her illness and would prefer a donation in her memory to their organization (www.hartfordhealthcareathome.org). The family invites you to visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com to leave a note of condolence.