Obituary: Barbara Ann (Bryk) Klimkosky

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Barbara Ann (Bryk) Klimkosky, lover of good books, black jelly beans, fruity teas, and poking around in a flower garden, died on May 5, 2019.

Born on Aug. 4, 1942, she grew up with her brother Ronnie, and their parents, Raymond and Sophie Bryk, in Naugatuck across the street from Central Avenue School. She attended Central Connecticut State where she studied to be a teacher and met her late husband, Richard (Dick). Together, they built a house in Bethany and raised three children, Stacey, Matthew and Christopher, and a couple of beagles along the way. Barb taught elementary school before the kids were born, took some time to be the best “Ma,” and then finished teaching at Assumption School in Ansonia.

Being teachers gave her and Dick summers off to enjoy being with their kids and each other at their little cottage on Cape Cod. The days were filled with trips to the pond for swimming lessons, and sun-filled days spent on the outer beach in their Jeep. Barb always had her nose in a book and her feet in the sand.

When her own children had grown up, she enjoyed loving her grandchildren and being “Gooma” to Emma and Laura and “Babci” to Alexandra and Colin. She also was known to spoil her furry grandpups as well. In later years, she caught the travel bug, got a passport, and started gallivanting with friends and cousins, visiting Oklahoma and California family or heading to the casino to play the quarters she had squirreled away.

Today, Barb is enjoying Dick’s company again after over 21 years apart. She is joking with Ronnie, getting into trouble with her mom and dad, and gossiping with all the old chocis. Since it is the beginning of May, she is probably planning on heading to the nursery to choose annuals for her flower garden and hanging baskets.

Her children and their spouses, grandchildren, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends wish to thank the staff at Geer Nursing Home for their good care and friendship in Barb’s final months.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck. A service will follow at 6 p.m.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant some cheery flowers in her memory, send some to a friend, hospital, or nursing home. Or you could donate a book to your local library, and while you’re there, pick out a good one to read and think of her. Summer is right around the corner.