Hilda M. Barrett

Born in Danbury, CT on Sept. 6, 1924. She was a lifelong resident of the City of Danbury and daughter of Manuel and Julia Neves. She grew up in the “Barbary Coast” neighborhood of Liberty St.

Hilda worked at the Davis & Geck Co. in Danbury for 20 years. She also worked for the Wool Hat Company for 24 years, and the Neuman-Endler Company of Danbury.

Her first husband was Bill Sowers. They were married for 25 years. Bill Sowers passed away in 1972

Hilda then met Leroy Barrett of Danbury, CT They got married in 1976, and were married for 33 years. Leroy passed away in 2009

Hilda was predeceased by two brothers: John Neves and Frank Neves; and a nephew, Frank Neves.

Survivors include her three step-daughters: Kathy & Marty Coladarci, Karen & Joe Warner, and Kim Conner. Her nephew: John Neves and 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren also survive.

Hilda was a past member of the “Portuguese – American Club” in Danbury. There, she was a member of the Variety Show Group. She was a past member of the “Sons of Portugal Club” in Danbury. Hilda was a member of the Portuguese Cultural Center (PCC), where she was very active in numerous committees.

Hilda was a member of the “Sons of Portugal Scholarship Committee” for over 20 years and a member of the “PCC Golf Tournament Committee” for over 19 years. In 2004 she was awarded the “Portuguese Day Award”, from the Danbury Portuguese Committee.

She was awarded the “Member of the Year Award”, from the Portuguese Cultural Center.

In 2018, she received the “State Portuguese Leadership Award”, from the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS), at a ceremony held at the State Capitol building, in Hartford.

Hilda remained active in the Danbury Portuguese Community by helping to work at the various summer picnics such as Dia de Portugal, & Santos Populars.

She was an active member of the Danbury Portuguese Day Committee for over 32 years.

She was also an active member of the Portuguese Heritage Monument Committee, which helped design and fundraise to have a Portuguese Heritage Monument placed at Heritage Plaza, in front of City of Hall, in Danbury in 2018

Since 1994 she has been an active fundraiser for Regional Hospice of Western CT. Many people at Hospice knew her as the “Ticket Lady” because of her great fundraising efforts! Regional Hospice & Healing Center (RHHC) has dedicated a bench in Hilda’s honor. The plaque on the bench reads “In Honor of Hilda Barrett, A Small but Mighty RHHC Dynamo”!

Hilda has received numerous Proclamations from various elected officials, including Governor, State Senate, & Mayors. On March 31, 2000, then Governor John Rowland proclaimed it “Hilda Barrett Day” for her many fund raising efforts in the City of Danbury.

Over the years, Hilda has visited the following countries: Italy, Portugal, China, Greece, Turkey, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria & numerous states within the USA.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Nicole, Janna and Barbie for the love and compassionate care they gave to Hilda.

A Graveside Service will be conducted at 11:30am on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 at St. Peter Cemetery (sec 17), Danbury, CT with the Rev. Gregg Mecca, Pastor of St. Peter Church in Danbury.

Those attending are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Hilda’s honor to: Regional Hospice 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810 or to the Portuguese Cultural Center 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury CT 06810.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed at www.thegreenfuneralhome.com