Barbara Navarro

Groton — Barbara J. Navarro, 89, of Groton, passed away in the early hours of Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was surrounded by her loving family. Born to the late Angus Thompson and Helen Tracy on May 2, 1934, Barbara was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Linwood “Lenny” Navarro; as well as her beloved brothers, George and Karl Thayer; and nephew Tracy Thayer.

Barbara grew up in Groton, where she attended Fitch High School and was a cheerleader for the Falcons. She and Lenny shared many happy memories there and were married shortly after graduating. After starting a family, the couple moved to Ledyard and raised their three children. Barbara and Lenny were well-loved in the neighborhood and were active in the Ledyard Squares and Groton Elks Club for many years. Barbara was a hard-working home maker, baker and loving seamstress until she entered the work force. Then she became a bookkeeper for a clothing store, a payroll clerk at EB and finally a secretary for Sacred Heart Church. She did these jobs with passion and dedication.

More than anything, Barbara loved spending time with family and friends. She always put others first, thriving on making sure those around her were happy and well-cared for; needless to say, whenever she was around, they always were.

Barbara is survived by her brother Frederick Thompson (Michael Graham); sister in-law Beverly Thayer and her three children, Susan Souza (Richard Souza), Linwood Navarro Jr. (Lisa Navarro) and Lorri Allen (Henry Allen); six grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the nurses and physical/occupational therapists at Fairview Rehabilitation, the 5th floor nursing staff and doctors at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, and the cardiac team at Yale New Haven Hospital for their concern, kindness and care of Barbara.

There will be a calling hour from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. The burial will be at Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave., Norwich, CT 06360. Please visit www. byles.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory with the family.