Barbara Ann Blake

Barbara A. Blake, age 81, of Madison, died peacefully at Connecticut Hospice on April 8, 2013. She was the beloved wife of Alan L. Blake for nearly 60 years. She was also survived by her sisters, Carol (Edwin) Ljostad of Madison and Linda (Oliver Wilson) Knopf of Mystic. Also survived by her nephews Gary Ljostad of Hampton Bays, NY and Peter (Mary) Knopf of Belmont, CA and her nieces Laurie (Joe Sorba) Ljostad of New Haven and Jan (Paul Child) Brulotte of North Haven. Also survived by her grandnephew Cory Brulotte of Middletown, and grandnieces Winter Marshall of Woodbridge Abby Brulotte of North Haven and Kylie (Ryan) Jones of Naugatuck. Also by her great grandniece Jocelyn Camacho of Woodbridge.

Barbara was born in the Silver Beach Community of the Bronx, New York City, on July 28, 1931. She graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx and Empire State College. She enjoyed working for many years in the advertising department of The New Yorker Magazine.

In the early years of her marriage she and her husband lived on City Island in New York City, where they belonged to the City Island Yacht Club and enjoyed sailing throughout Long Island Sound and points east.

Barbara was always active athletically; she was an accomplished bowler, averaging around 160 in sanctioned league and tournament play. Later, she took up tennis and paddle tennis, winning numerous trophies and awards.

In later life she was an avid duplicate bridge player, achieving a Bronze Life Master ranking in the American Contract Bridge League, and accumulating over 900 Master Points in Club, Sectional, Regional and National play.

Barbara will be remember by her family and friends as a kind, loving and generous person, who treated all who she came into contact with in a gentle and respectful manner.

A memorial service will be held at the Swan Funeral Home 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, on Saturday April 13, 2013 at 1:00pm. Family and friends may visit the funeral home from 11:00am until the time of service at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405. For online tributes and condolences, please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com.