Barbara Ann Fraser

Barbara Ann Fraser, 70, passed away on Wednesday, August 13th, at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, after a courageous three-and-a-half-year battle with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 22, 1954, she was the daughter of German immigrants Ralph Sendner and Hannchen Schulz. She grew up in Dumont, NJ, where her love of music, friendship, and family began. She excelled as captain of three different varsity sports, flute section leader in the marching band, and pianist in the jazz band, while achieving countless academic honors. She graduated from Dumont High School in 1972 and then went on to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing at the University of Delaware, graduating with the class of 1976. It was there that she made her lifelong friends turned family, the WWDs (Wild Women of Delaware). Barbara joined the Navy in 1977, where she proudly served as Lieutenant Commander in the Nurse Corps on pediatric wards for 13 years. It was during this time that she met her husband, Larry, with whom she shared 42 years, as well as numerous other friends turned family. The pivotal moments of Barbara's life were when her children, Hannah, Ben, and Liesel, were born, and when she became an Oma to her miracle Riker and sunshine Kira. She was truly selfless in every sense of the word, humble, and a tireless advocate for what was best for children, education, and being there for others. She volunteered in Meriden Public Schools and the greater community for over 30 years. Some of her proudest accomplishments were growing the Thomas Hooker PTG, starting a citywide parent group, founding and growing the Maloney Band Boosters, costuming countless musicals and plays, serving on the School Building Committee and Bradley Home Board of Directors, receiving a Shining Star Award from the Greater Meriden Chamber of Commerce, and receiving the Spirit of Meriden Award given by Mayor Scarpati and the City Council for her service to the city. Barbara was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Meriden, CT, as a member of the choir, a member of the parish council, and a recipient of the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation. Besides her husband, Larry, she is survived by her three children: Hannah, twins Ben, and Liesel and her husband Michael Sullivan; her grandchildren, Riker and Kira; her brother, Ronald Sendner, and his wife Jane; her nieces Karen Rebele, Julie Nicholson, Nicole Petraites, and Jayme Ford; her nephew Scott Fraser; and her sister-in-law Lorri Gardner-Long. She was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Hannchen (Schulz) Sendner; her aunt (Tante) Leni Müller; and her cousin Karin Gebhart. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, August 21st, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 22nd, at 9:45 a.m., at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, St. Joseph Church, 22 Goodwill Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. A special tribute will be held at the start of Mass and will begin promptly at 9:45. Everyone is kindly asked to arrive with enough time to be seated before then. To honor her memory and her birthday, Barbara and her family would love for you all to wear purple to the funeral. Since being diagnosed, Barbara became a compassionate advocate for awareness, early detection, and research for pancreatic cancer. Barb's Believers became her final mission and is now our mission to continue her legacy. We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Barb's Believers, as part of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network)) Purple Stride 2025 campaign.