Barbara F. Dounouk

Barbara (Frauenberger) Dounouk, a lifelong resident of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, at the age of 89 surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 24, 1935, in Wethersfield, she was the beloved daughter of the late Carl and Ruth (Waterman) Frauenberger.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter A. Dounouk, Jr.; her son, Peter A. Dounouk, III; and her grandson, Detective Bobby Garten.

She leaves behind her loving daughters, Jodi Dounouk of Hebron, and Debra and Robert Garten, of Wethersfield. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy and Richard Moeglein of CO.

Barbara’s legacy lives on in her grandsons: Bruce Robinson (Alaina Buzas) of Seattle, WA; William Garten (Kimber) of Wethersfield; Peter Robinson of Hebron; and Cody Robinson of Hyannis, MA. As a proud great-grandmother, she adored her great-grandchildren, Liam and Rory Garten of Wethersfield, who brought her endless joy and light.

A lifelong Wethersfield resident, Barbara was proud of her community and its rich history. She was a member of the Col. Chester Fife and Drum Corps, finding joy and camaraderie in this treasured tradition. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society, in the Rocking Red Hatters Chapter, Early Bird Bowlers of Newington and the Wethersfield Garden Club.

Barbara especially cherished summers by the ocean. Early in her marriage, she and Peter rented at Hawk’s Nest Landing, creating wonderful memories with their growing family. They later purchased a house of their own in Clinton, where they enjoyed sunny days by the shore, surrounded by family and laughter.

Barbara will be remembered for her incredible generosity, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment to family. She was the rock of her family, always putting their needs above her own and leading by example. Her traditions, like baking her famous cinnamon rolls every Thanksgiving and Christmas and her Halloween donut holes, will continue to be cherished by her loved ones.

She faced life’s challenges with unmatched resilience and grace, enduring great loss while remaining the steady presence her family relied upon. Whether cheering on the UCONN Women’s Basketball Team, her love of lighthouses, the beach, Rummikub, cards, music (especially Frank Sinatra), and her humming little ditties, Barbara found joy in the simple moments and the people she loved most.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 300 Main Street, Wethersfield, with burial to follow at Village Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the Detective Robert “Bobby” Garten Memorial Fund, 120 Willow Street, Wethersfield, CT, 06109 or the Hole in the Wall Gang, 565 Ashford Center Road, Ashford, CT, 06278.

Her love, strength, and spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel has been entrusted by the family with the arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com