Barbara Helen Blackwell

She was born on June 11, 1924, in Essex, the daughter of Henry and Annie Monroe.

Barbara was a graduate of Old Lyme High School. During World War II, she and her friends would scout the air over Long Island Sound from the top of Grassy Hill in Lyme for enemy aircraft. Early on she was a telephone switch board operator in Old Lyme, became a fulltime mother, and was a private caterer for most of her work life. Barbara, "The Old Bat" was a founding member of the Lymes' Senior Center and was their volunteer of the year in 2018. She was their Matriarch and always greeted anyone who was new that came to the center. She would always make new commers feel welcome. The center was her home away from home and she enjoyed every day she was there, and helped in any way she could. Barbara also volunteered for the battered women’s shelter, Safe Futures, and the food pantry both in New London, CT.

Barbara is survived by her children Diane Blackwell and her spouse Kim Hale of Old Lyme, Dennis Z. Blackwell and his spouse Margie, Elmer C. Blackwell, and Wendy Lopez and her spouse Mario, all of Lyme; twin siblings Judy Dutton of Ivoryton and Julian "Duke" Monroe and his spouse Peggy of Lyme; grandchildren Stacey Roberts of Arizona, Kim Blitek and her spouse Brian of Naperville, IL, Allison Roberts of Waukee, Iowa, Melissa Fetera and her spouse Jim of Haddam, CT, Barbara Roberts of Sedona, CA, and Elizabeth Lopez of Lyme, CT; step grandchildren Richard Parzych and his spouse Krista of Glastonbury, Paul Parzych and his spouse Laura and Gregory Parzych and his spouse Vanessa, both of Guilford; great grandchildren, Michelle Brachowski of Mooresville, NC, Brandon and Blake Blitek of Naperville, IL; step great grandchildren, Matt, Alyssa, Ben, Trevor, Sophia, Sam, and Niko Parzych; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Henry Monroe.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 19th, from 10:30-noon, with a memorial service beginning at noon, at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Lymes' Senior Center, 26 Town Woods Rd., Old Lyme, CT 06371.