Barbara Jane 'BJ' 'Nana' Dillistin Bradshaw, 86, of Monroe, Passed Away

MONROE, CT — Barbara Jane "BJ"/"Nana" Dillistin Bradshaw, age 86, of Monroe, cherished wife of the late Arthur F. "Big Art" Bradshaw, passed away peacefully at Cambridge Manor Fairfield on Saturday, August 20, 2016 after a two-year struggle with numerous health issues. Nobody had a stronger will than Barbara to fight hard to try and overcome these issues. She never gave up the fight until her last breath.

Born on December 13, 1929 to the late William and Barbara Bombero Dillistin, Barbara was raised and lived most of her life in Trumbull before moving to Monroe in 1992. Barbara worked for Southern New England Telephone Company until she started her family and became a homemaker. She was an avid gardener and found much joy being in her yard, watching her hummingbirds and being entertained by the chipmunks she fed.

Barbara loved to travel and went cross-country twice with her late husband. She will sadly be missed by her beloved children Art Bradshaw and his wife Deanna of Trumbull, Jill Bradshaw-Wynn and her husband Mike of Stratford and Scott Bradshaw of Monroe and his girlfriend and Barbara's special friend Mary Arsenian of Newtown; grandchildren Michael Wynn, Robert Wynn and Stephanie Wynn, Meredith Bradshaw-Walsky and her husband Reid, Leslie Bradshaw and A.J. Bradshaw; her sister Gertrude (Trudy) Brzozowski; two great-granddaughters, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. In addition to her husband, Barbara was predeceased by two sisters, Florence Latham and Gloria Manson; and her niece, Sharon Miller.

Her children would like to thank her many doctors especially Dr. Karine Toumanian, the Bridgeport Hospital, the Stratford VNA, and Cambridge Manor for the incredible care she received. They are also grateful for the excellent surgeons at Bridgeport Hospital who performed numerous lifesaving surgeries that gave them an extra year with their mom.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, August 24th at St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church 6948 Main Street Trumbull. Interment followed in Cutler's Farm Cemetery Monroe.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com