Obituary of Barbara Curtis

Barbara Curtis, 72 Our beloved Barbara Curtis passed away on January 15th following a courageous battle with cancer. Barbara was born December 2nd, 1943 in Bremen, Germany to Frederick & Marie Freese. Her family emigrated to the U.S. in 1956, settling in the Bronx, NY. At age 15, Barbara met Jack Curtis, the love of her life. They later eloped and spent 48 wonderful years together building a life full of love and great memories. Known by many simply as Oma, Barbara was a Jackie Kennedy look-alike in her youth with the style and grace to match. While raising her children, she owned and operated Beckley’s in Berlin, CT and volunteered in the community. She and Jack moved to Florida later in life, where she worked for the Boca Raton Resort as a concierge for ten years. Barbara returned to Connecticut after her husband passed away, and became a home health companion, sharing her experiences, kindness and reassurance. Barbara is predeceased by her beloved daughter Laurie and her husband Jack. She is survived by her sister Renate Heimuller, daughter Donna Goodwill and husband Barry, sons John Curtis and wife Holly, and Michael Curtis and wife Melissa. She is also survived by five loving grandchildren whose lives she touched in so many ways: Jacquelyn, Haley and Sierra Goodwill, as well as Madelyn and John William Curtis. Barbara’s influence extended far beyond her immediate family. She was a mother, grandmother and confidant to everyone who knew her. Selfless, compassionate, optimistic and inexhaustibly helpful, she possessed an old-world resourcefulness that has all but vanished from our culture. You will be missed dearly, Oma. A celebration of life service will be held at Marlborough Congregational Church on January 23rd at 11am, where you will be welcomed share a memory of Barbara. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the church. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.