Barbara J. Pelletier

Barbara J. Pelletier, 79, of Vernon and formerly of East Hartford, passed away peacefully with her youngest daughter Sandy by her side on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford on September 1, 1942, a daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Crehan) Zilinskas, she had been a resident of East Hartford for over 40 years prior to moving to Vernon over ten years ago. Barbara was a graduate of Bulkeley High School in Hartford, class of 1960 and a proud graduate of Manchester Community College where she earned her Associates Degree. Prior to her retirement in 1988, Barbara was employed for many years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Credit Union in East Hartford. She was an animal lover who also liked shopping, listening to music, walking and traveling. Most of all, she cherished her role as a mother and grandmother taking great pride in caring and supporting her children and grandchildren at their activities and sporting events.

Barbara is survived by her four beloved daughters, Jeanne C. Newton and her husband Shawn of East Hartford, Lori Tracy and her husband Darryl of Enfield, Elisa Lupacchino and her husband Richard of East Hartford, Sandra L. Franklin and her husband Bill of Newington; a sister, Judith Tracy of Windsor Locks; eight special grandchildren, David Leeman and his wife Angelique, Gregory Leeman, Brian Leeman, Steven Tracy, Sarah Tracy, Richard Lupacchino, Jr., Vincent Sartori, Olivia Sartori; eight adored great-grandchildren, Juliette Leeman, Serena Leeman, Bailey Leeman, Manny Leeman, Anthony Leeman, Benjamin Tracy, Gavin Lupacchino, Jaxson Albert; a nephew, Damian Tracy of Enfield; and several dear friends. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son, Manuel Gomez, Jr. of East Hartford; and two brothers, Richard Zilinskas of East Hartford and Joseph Zilinskas of Manchester.

Funeral service celebrating Barbara’s life will be Saturday (March 26th) at 11 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, (Section C), East Hartford. Barbara’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday morning from 10 -11 am at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barbara’s name may be made to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc., 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002 or Yappy Tails Animal Rescue, 52 Hazard Avenue, Box #135, Enfield, CT 06082. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.