Obituary of Barbara Ann Vartenigian
It is with great sadness and love that we announce the passing of Barbara Ann Dawiczyk Vartenigian at the age of 87 in West Hartford, Connecticut. Barbara was born on December 1, 1938, in Hartford, Connecticut to Eleanor Szymkowicz Dawiczyk and Steven Dawiczyk. She graduated from Bulkeley High School and the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. It was at Bulkeley High School that she met her devoted husband of 64 years, George Vartenigian.
She continued her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design and Holy Apostles Seminary of Theology and Philosophy. In midlife, she entered the long lineage of iconographers through her study in Russia and her fifteen years of tutelage under accomplished iconographer, Marek Czarnecki. She lived a life immersed in creation, expression, and artistic exuberance.
Barbara loved everything related to art and design. This included painting, woodcuts, pen and ink, writing and illustrating her own children’s books, art restoration, antiquing, and flea market finds. Her interests were vast and her curiosity endless. She built collections of unique and beautiful objects, loved gardening, crafted elegant desserts, and decorated her home with eclectic creations, curiosities, and life-sized seasonal displays to celebrate the holidays.
Barbara’s love of artistic expression was secondary only to her love of God. While living and raising her family in Norwich, she was an active communicant at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Legion of Mary and other religious groups. Later in life, she found great joy in combining her faith and her art through the practice of iconography. Her artwork is displayed in museums, churches and in private homes. She also worked with many churches, restoring statues and Stations of the Cross, and decorating altars with her artwork.
Barbara is survived by her husband, George Vartenigian; her children, Tyler Vartenigian, (Susan Vartenigian), Tracy Vartenigian Burhans (William Burhans), Jill Vartenigian (Tim Greenzweig); and her grandchildren, Katie and Luke Vartenigian, Haliana (Burhans) Khudyak (Daniel Khudyak), Naomi and Augusta Claire Burhans, Zoe, Aaron and Jake Greenzweig; and her brother David Dawiczyk. She was preceded in death by her brother, George Dawiczyk, and her mother, Eleanor Szymkowicz Solloway.
The family wishes to thank our friends, family, and Right at Home hospice staff for their compassion and support during Barbara's final months.
Friends and relatives may pay their respects on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, Connecticut. A Mass celebrating Barbara’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. John Fisher Church, 30 Jones Hollow Road, Marlborough CT. A private burial will take place after the funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com . Barbara will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her. We take comfort in knowing that she found peace and everlasting happiness in heaven.