BARBER, REJANE

Rejane Barber (Jean), of 55 Masonic Avenue, Wallingford, wife of the late Edwin Barber, died peacefully on Monday, November 26, surrounded by her family. Born August 26, 1927 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Moise and Josephine Sullivan. Widowed at only 33 with three young children, Rejane recognized early in her life that she had to show the world her independence, courage and persistence.

Rejane worked for Travelers and Cigna Insurance along with frequent second jobs to keep the family home constant and secure as her children grew. She is survived by her son Ken Barber, his wife Annie Barber and grandchildren Mackenzie and Griffin, her devoted daughter Karen Barber of Montclair, Virginia, and lost her first son Thomas in 1986 at age 34, a very early casualty of the AIDS epidemic. She loved all her children fiercely throughout her life. Rejane was a parishioner of the former St. Laurent Church in Meriden and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wallingford. Her children always knew that their mother was praying for them when the times got rough. Rejane had a great life and lived independently till the end, something she and her children were extremely proud of.

A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, December 3rd at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Road, Wallingford, CT at 10 a.m. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. There will be no calling hours. Interment will follow in St. Laurent Cemetery, 1151 Hanover Avenue Meriden. Arrangements are under the direction of the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.jferryfh.com.