Barbara Bratmeyer, 82, of Simsbury, CT leapt from this life and into the arms of her Savior at 9:15 AM, Saturday, December 16, 2017. She was born on January 11, 1935 in Whippany, NJ to Nicholas Danzi and Violet Danzi (nee Hardison). She spent her childhood in Whippany and then moved to Morristown, NJ as a teen-ager when her mother and father separated. She graduated from Morristown High School. She remained in Morristown for most of her adult life, albeit for a seven-month period in the late-1970’s when she moved to Hawaii. She held a variety of jobs during her lifetime, including a real-live telephone operator, a ballroom dance instructor, a waitress at some of the best restaurants in Northern NJ, a social services worker for the County of Morris, an advertisement coordinator for the Morristown Daily Record, and finally a legal secretary (she was very proud of this last accomplishment).
She was married to Rocco Parisi in 1956. The marriage lasted six years and produced two sons – Joseph and Nicholas. She, Rocco and her sons lived on Hillary Avenue in Morristown. After separating from Rocco, she and her sons lived on Budd Street from 1964 - 1977. She married Robert Bratmeyer in 1973 and was married to him until his death in 1990. She and Bob traveled frequently and she enjoyed travel immensely.
She is survived by her two sons, Joseph Parisi of Phillipsburg, NJ, and Nicholas Parisi and his wife, Shawn Parisi, their children, Alexander Parisi and Victoria Parisi of Simsbury, CT. She was the great grandmother (GG) to Philip Parisi of West Hartford, CT. She is also survived by her sister, Janet Thomson of Boonton, NJ, and her nephew, Richard Thomson of Randolph, NJ. She is predeceased by her parents, as well as Rocco Parisi, Robert Bratmeyer, her brother-in-law Richard Thomson, and her nieces Linda Stickney (nee Thomson) and Jacquelyn Rimsky (nee Thomson).
In 1995 she suffered a brain stem aneurysm, resulting in a massive stoke, leaving her paralyzed on her left side. She was 60 years old at that time and was planning her retirement. She remained in that condition until the day she departed this earth. She relocated to Simsbury, CT in 1995 to be closer to her grandchildren and was a resident of the Governor’s House nursing home in Simsbury since April 1996. She holds the record as the longest-tenured resident of the Governor’s House (a record she definitely was not thrilled to hold).
Barbara lived through the aneurysm, the stroke, and since then, breaking a hip, cancer, heart issues in addition to bouts of depression over her condition. Over the years, she asked God why He was keeping her here and not taking her home. God is good to His word and answered her, finally allowing her to be free from her broken body. We may never know His reasons for keeping her here the last 23 years, except to know that she impacted many, many lives who would have been less full had they not known her.
Special thanks to the staff of the Governor’s House. You cared for Barbara and loved her for almost 23 years. You treated her like a member of the family and for that, Barbara’s family wishes to extend to you its heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
There will be a time of remembrance for Barbara on her birthday, Thursday, January 11, 2018 between 6 – 8 PM at the Governor’s House nursing home, 36 Firetown Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. In lieu of sending flowers, find a friend and let them know they are appreciated. Professional Service of Comfort provided by the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT. To extend condolences to the Bratmeyer family or to share a memory of Barbara, please visit shakerfuneralhome.com