Obituary of Barbara E. Dreher

Barbara Earl (Parrish) Dreher passed away peacefully January 7, 2014 at St. Vincents Medical Center with her family by her side after a short illness. Barbara was born in Nashville, North Carolina to the late Betty and Harold Parrish on February 23, 1936, where she was the 2nd youngest of ten brothers and sisters. She grew up and worked on the family farm all through her childhood and teen years. In 1956, after the death of her father, she moved to Bridgeport, CT to stay with her sister Olga for a while. During that time she worked as an usherette at the Majestic Theater in downtown Bridgeport and at her sisters corner store across from East Washington Park. It was at that store she met a tall, skinny gentleman named Theodore (Lonny) Dreher. He just kept showing up at the store every day, she once said. It was then that the two young kids started dating, often meeting at the Majestic Theater for the wrestling matches they both loved. On June 7, 1958 the two were married at Holy Rosary Church and in April of 1960 had a son named Quentin. Barbara left her job at the Majestic Theater to raise her small family, but in the mid-70s she once again went back to work, this time, with the city of Bridgeport Education System in their lunch program where she worked for over 30 years. Most of that time was spent at Newfield School where she loved the children and the small neighborhood school setting. Although she worked hard, Barbara loved to volunteer. She volunteered at the Dinan Center gift shop for 20+ years. She volunteered at so many Catholic school bingos its hard to name them all. She was also very active in her church as a member of Holy Rosary St. Theresa Guild and the St. Francis of Cabrini Columbiettes. Barbara loved to bake and read, her lemon pound cakes were legend. She loved her bingo and the New York Mets. She loved to return to North Carolina every summer to attend family reunions and spend time with her brothers and sisters and the rest of the very large family. She was predeceased by 5 sisters, Henrietta, Olga, Irene, Betty Jean, Lillian and 2 brothers Harold and George. She leaves behind her husband Theodore of 55 years, her son Quentin, her beloved daughter-in-law Lynda and her sisters Sally P. Mathews of Washington, NC, Ann P. Rose of Burlington, NC and many, many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. The family is very grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Vincents Medical Center, who were at her side and took care of her so well. She was treated with love. We would also love to thank Deacon Tim of St. James Church who gave us strength of God and his compassion during a very difficult time. Funeral Information Family and friends may call on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. A service will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.