Barbara Filanowicz

Barbara (Traska) Filanowicz, 91, of Newington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Born in Hartford, she was the beloved daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Tofil) Traska. Barbara was raised in the Elmwood section of West Hartford, where as a young girl, she and her sister proudly delivered pies to the local Army barracks that were baked by her mother, an early sign of her generous and caring spirit. After graduating Conard High School in West Hartford she found and married the love of her life, the late George Filanowicz. Married for over 50 years, they settled in Newington where they raised their family together. Barbara was employed at Loctite/Henkel for 20 years until her retirement, and was a long-standing parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Newington. A quiet and gentle soul, Barbara was deeply devoted to her family. She was an active Brownie and Cub Scout troop leader during her children's younger years, volunteered her time at Brittany Farms Health Center, and was a loving and hands-on grandmother who helped raise and care for her grandchildren. She had a passion for gardening, sewing, a love of reading, and a soft spot for animals. In her quieter moments, Barbara was an avid RedSox and UConn Women's Huskies basketball fan. A loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she leaves her two children, Kathleen Nurmi of Newington, Kevin Filanowicz and his wife Sandra of Newington, her three grandchildren, Michael Bernier, Ryan Nurmi and Deanna Nurmi, and two great grandchildren, Jayden Reid and Braelynn Edwards. She also leaves her sister Dorothy Starr and her brother Michael Traska and his wife Elaine, all of Ellington and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited for calling hours on Friday, August 8th, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Home at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the CT Humane Society at www.cthumane.org.