Obituary: Barbara Ann Johnson Covill, 87, formerly of Brookfield

Information Courtesy Cornell Memorial Home

BROOKFIELD, CT — Barbara Ann Johnson Covill, age 87, of Warren, and formerly of Brookfield, died peacefully on Saturday June 24, 2023, at 7:45 p.m. in Torrington, surrounded by family.

Barbara was born on August 3, 1935, in Mount Vernon, NY. She was pre-deceased by her first husband, Arthur W. Covill, Jr. of Brookfield, in 2003. She is also pre-deceased by her father Milton A. Johnson, her mother Helen E. Breden, both of Brookfield, and her brother Richard Johnson of Mt. Laurel, NJ.

Barbara is survived by her husband Harold B. Covill of Warren, her beloved dog Nellie, and her 3 children: son, Wayne A. Covill (Lynne) of Newtown; daughter, Susan H. Novicky (James) of New Fairfield; and daughter Sharon E. Rice (Kelly) of Gore, VA; her 10 grandchildren: William and Jacob Covill; Danielle (Roy), Amy, and Andrew (Rebecca) Novicky, and Charlie (Valarie), Christopher (Kimberly), Beau (Shanda), Benjamin (Amanda), and Savannah (James) Martin; and six great grandchildren: Gavin and Grayson, Arthur, Ellie, Sloane, and Jack Martin. She is also survived by her dearest “sister/friend” since 1956, Melba Shimko of Texas.

Barbara graduated from A.B. Davis High School, Mount Vernon, NY, where she graduated 2 years ahead of her classmates in 1952. She then worked as a secretary at Columbia University in New York. After moving to Brookfield in 1952, she worked as a clerk/stenographer and later as secretary to the maintenance engineer at Barden Manufacturing in Danbury.

She also worked briefly as a secretary in the New Milford District Office of the State Highway Department and for the Bethel Planning & Zoning Commission before finding employment with Brookfield Board of Education in 1966. She was secretary to the principal at Brookfield High School and then secretary to the assistant superintendent of schools, also in Brookfield until her retirement in 2000.

In the past, Barbara served on the Library Board in Warren, as Secretary for the Central Cemetery Association in Brookfield, and as a Secretary for the Brookfield Board of Education.

For a time, Barbara baked and sold pies and bread from her home. Her father Milton had made a sign to advertise her work that they hung out by Huckleberry Hill Road near her home on Pine Street in Brookfield. As a young married couple, Barbara and Arthur enjoyed attending Couple’s Club, square dancing, bowling, and playing cards with friends.

Barbara liked to read, paint, sew, knit, and crochet. She loved playing her piano. She loved birds, camping, and gardening. Barbara was known among her children and grandchildren for the love she demonstrated throughout their lives by celebrating holidays in special ways. She loved Christmas and Thanksgiving, and she was celebrated as the ‘Halloween Witch’. Her grandchildren lovingly dubbed her ‘Mean Nanny” because all her love was wrapped up within a stern framework. She expected honesty and good behavior, however, Nanny did have a wonderful sense of humor too, and could always be counted on for a good joke or prank! She had a big heart, and an open door, and a bag of peppermint patties.

Barbara was nominated MOM OF THE YEAR from 1958-2023.

She was loved by so many.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the CT chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.