Obituary of Barbara F. White

Barbara F. Schlesier White, age 84, of Milford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Leon Viola and later the late Daniel Reisman and James White. Born in Newark, New Jersey on October 29, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Ruth Franke Schlesier. 

Survivors include her two loving sons, Michael and Thomas Viola, her cherished granddaughter, Kara Viola, her former spouse, Leon Viola, sister-in-law, Carolyn Schlesier, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Kenneth Schlesier.  Her dear best friend Yvonne Wilkins provided an incredible level of support and care throughout her life.

Barbara was one of the most caring and loving individuals on the planet.  If you looked up the word empathy and understanding online, you would find a picture of Barbara.  Barbara grew up as a “tomboy” in Bloomfield New Jersey where she was very active and learned how to conduct herself independently.  As a daughter of a police officer and the granddaughter of loving pastor of the local Lutheran Church she had a significant amount of positive influences on her life, especially from her mother, Ruth Schlesier.  Ruth was a source of love, inspiration and strength for Barbara. Barbara was a very smart, hard-working and determined woman.  After her first divorce in the early seventies, she put herself through college at Montclair State University and became a highly skilled Dental Hygienist working in Fairfield and Bridgeport CT for multiple Dentists. Whenever Barbara moved to a new Dentist office, her patients always wanted to move with her.  Barbara was a very active person in travel, sports and community causes with her church.  Everyone loved to be with her.  Barbara was a very loving grandmother to Kara who would often spend a tremendous amount of time at her house even living there during transitional times in her life.  This was also the case with her two sons, Michael and Tommy. Barbara started to experience limitations in her abilities to travel and keep her independence starting in 2016 and was eventually diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease.  While the disease progressed in a very difficult way, Barbara was still always a very kind and entertaining person to be with.  We will all miss her very much.

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. directly in Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 5995 Main St, Trumbull. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday from 4–7 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation.

Direct contributions can be made to the Parkinson Foundation for Barbara White at: https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/TR/Tributes/General?px=3000131&pg=personal&fr_id=3526

To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.