Barbara Porini
Groton — Barbara Eleanor (Leland) Porini of Groton, a woman of extreme faith, went to her heavenly home to be with the Lord on Dec. 22, 2015.
She was born on May 23, 1921, in Vermont, spending her youth and early teen years in Rutland, Vt. It was there that she met her husband of 65 years, Silvio Porini, who predeceased her in 2003. After marrying, she and Silvio moved to Woodside, N.Y., where they had their three daughters, Cynthia, Sylvia, (Tina) and Claudia. It was at this time that Barbara began sewing in earnest, making most of the family clothes and becoming a professional seamstress. In 1953, Barbara and the family relocated to Mineola, N.Y., where they bought their first home. Barbara was a housekeeper and stay at-home mom, caring for her mother-in-law, Theresa, before moving her into a nursing home.
When the children were older, Barbara earned her GED and went to work in retail, working as the receiving manager at Lord & Taylor in Garden City, N.Y. Barbara accepted Christ in her life in her 40s, attending the Assembly of God Church in Hempstead, N.Y., where she was active in the Women’s Ministry. In 1983, Barbara and Silvio relocated to Groton to be closer to family. Barbara was a member of the Groton Senior Citizens, where she participated in several clubs and groups. Barbara was a faithful servant of The Faith Fellowship in New London, serving in many capacities. In particular, she was active in the church’s prison ministry, spending many hours visiting the Niantic Women’s Prison. Additionally, she developed a strong letter-writing ministry to inmates incarcerated around the country. Known as a prayer-warrior, Barbara was an intercessor for people she had never met, as well as friends and family. Barbara was a woman of many talents, starting painting water colors in her 40s, which were typically given to family and friends for special life occasions. Having been an accomplished seamstress, after moving to Connecticut, Barbara took up quilting, where once again her creations were given as gifts. Barbara was a firm believer in family and creating memories to cherish. In her later years she would often talk of cheerful times, family events where love flowed generously and laughter was the glue that bonded all.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Silvio, and daughter, Cynthia.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Tina Duke (Steve) of Fairfield, and Claudia Olson (Gene) of Deland, Fla.; grandchildren Tom Resignolo (Holly) of Breckenridge, Colo., Ron Fast (Jackie) of Pompton Plains, N.J., Mike Olson (Jamy) of Oviedo, Fla., and Ashley Murray (Alex) of San Mateo, Calif.; great-grandchildren Nicholas, Matthew and Noelle Resignolo, Nicole and Alex Fast, Dylan and Sydney Olson and Liam and Clayton Murray.
The family members would like to give a special thank you to staff of Odd Fellows, Fairview Nursing Home for their wonderful care and help as Barbara spent her last six years of her life at this outstanding facility. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to the Fairview Nursing Home, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340.
Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl St., Mystic.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance please visit www.dinotofuneral.com.