WALLINGFORD – Barbara Ann (Butler) Jakiela, 66, of Wallingford, departed this life on Dec. 31, 2017,at Yale-New Haven Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Joseph Jakiela of Wallingford, the love of her life, who affectionately referred to her as his “bride” for 36 years.
Barbara was born in Waterbury on June 15, 1951, to Charles and Ellen (McGuire) Butler. Barbara developed friendships that lasted a lifetime. They started in grammar school in Waterbury and remained until today.
The dynamic four – Barbara “Butler” Jakiela, Cindy Johnson, Kathy “Dwyer” Berman and Laurie “Grady” Luce – all graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School in Waterbury in 1969, went off together to UConn and the rest is history.
Barbara achieved a bachelor of science in child development and family relations at UConn. She then went on to secure her master’s degree in health care management from Rensselaer.
She started her professional career at the Masonic Home and was recognized for her professionalism and dynamic presence. Barbara went on to manage The Bridges assisted living facility in Hamden, and then she finished her professional career at Herbasway in Wallingford.
Barbara developed friendships all along the way that lasted throughout her life. This of course included the annual vacation Barbara and Joe would take to St. Croix. Everyone who knew Barbara immediately saw that she loved life and brought out the best in her friends.
Her dynamic personality, love of life, humor and compassion elevated all those around her. She introduced her friends to Broadway shows, the arts, “creative” cooking, music and always humor.
The connections Barbara made spread worldwide and have lasted until this day.
Besides her husband, Barbara leaves behind her brother, Richard Butler and his wife, Kim, of Waterbury; her nephew, Richard Butler Jr.; her stepdaughter, Beth Schapira and her husband, Cary, of North Kingstown, R.I.; grandson, Benjamin; and granddaughter, Isabella Schapira.
Barbara’s family would like to thank the physicians and nursing staff at Smilow Cancer Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, for the clinical expertise, friendship and kindness that they extended to Barbara, her family and friends during this difficult time.
A funeral service to celebrate Barbara’s life will be Friday at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 S. Elm St., Wallingford, at 12 noon. Family and friends may attend a public visitation that same day from 10 a.m. to noon.
To honor Barbara’s memory, memorial contributions can be made to The Sisters Project, P.O. Box 1643, Wallingford, CT 06492; or to Wallingford Public Library, 200 N. Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492.
For directions or to leave a message of remembrance, please visit baileycares.com.
