Barbara Mae Gardner

Barbara was born on March 2, 1937, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late John Robinson Jr. and Ethel Robinson (Dawes). She attended Waterbury Catholic High School. In 1959, she married the love of her life, the late Milton A. Gardner, with whom she shared a devoted marriage and raised three children. Barbara and her husband eventually moved from Waterbury and settled to the Old Saybrook shoreline to raise their family, a place she proudly called home.

Barbara was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with her family and truly treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always thinking of others before herself, Barbara was generous with kind advice and offered a reassuring presence to all who knew her.

Early in her life, she worked as a manager at Sunshine Farms Dairy in Old Saybrook. After dedicating many years to raising her children, she returned to the workforce, where she was employed as an auditor for Ames Department Store and later worked as a bookkeeper for a family-owned business.

Barbara is survived by her children: Mary Gardner of West Haven; Susan Muzljakovich (Gardner) of Centerbrook; and Michael Gardner and his wife, Linda, of Centerbrook. She also leaves her cherished grandchildren: Ashley Plaster (Benjamin); Kaitlin Smith (Herbert); and Nicholas Gardner (Stephanie). In addition, she was blessed with five great-grandchildren: Weston, Beckham, Teagan, Harley, and Mila.

She was predeceased by her brother, John Robinson III, and her son-in-law, Jeffrey Muzljakovich.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11am at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Old Saybrook. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Old Saybrook.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and kindness.