Barbara Mae Tranchese

Barbara Mae Tranchese (nee LaScalea), 88, of Monroe, Connecticut entered peacefully into eternal life on August 18, 2026. Barbara was born on August 9, 1938, in New York City to her parents, Yolanda and Angelo LaScalea. Barbara had a cherished older sister, Yola, who predeceased her, but during their lives they remained best friends even though they lived on separate coasts. Barbara loved to learn and was a proud graduate of Cathedral High School and Hunter College.

On September 10, 1961, she married the love of her life, Frank Tranchese. Even after nearly 65 years of marriage, she would look at him and say to anyone who was around, “Isn’t he handsome?” Barbara and Frank settled in the Bronx, New York and were dedicated parishioners of St. Theresa’s Church. They raised their three children, Patricia (Joseph) Bisesto of Valhalla, New York , Philip (Roselyn) Tranchese of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Frances (Kevin) Welch of Monroe, Connecticut. Barbara instilled in her children the love of family and the value of education. After raising her children, Barbara worked as a bus matron for New York City where she enjoyed working with children with disabilities and special needs.

By far, Barbara’s favorite job was being a grandmother. She lived by the motto, “What happens at Grandma’s house stays at Grandma’s house.” Her seven grandchildren, P.J., Marissa, Matthew, Elliot, Lauren, Katie and Christopher, were truly the lights of her life. She attended as many of their sporting and school activities as possible, often traveling hours to get there. Barbara was so proud of the kind, compassionate adults her grandchildren had become.

Barbara loved spending holidays with her family, always planning the meal and the festivities meticulously with her sisters-in-law, Connie, Rose, and Camille. She kept up with all the happenings of her large extended family, including her many nieces and nephews and now grand-nieces and nephews, affectionately known as the TranClan. Her cousin, Roslyn, was like a second sister to her, and at family functions they would be huddled in a corner laughing at some inside jokes.

Barbara was an avid Yankees fan and loved following her team. Barbara enjoyed any board or card games and especially loved teaching her grandchildren Rummikub. After Frank and Barbara moved to Monroe, Connecticut, she took up Mahjong and played several times a week with her Monroe friends, usually beating all of her competitors. Barbara cherished her friends and usually kept them for life. Maryanne and Camille were her lifelong childhood friends. She spent many happy days at Castle Hill Beach Club and Friday night wine and trivia with all of her friends from Mayflower Terrace .

Barbara was very devoted to her faith, reminding her children in a letter, “remember to keep God in your lives, you cannot do it without Him.” She was a parishioner at St. Jude’s Church in Monroe. To the ones she loved fiercely, when you would leave her and say “love you”, she would always say, “love you more,” and she meant it.

A Visitation will be held at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468, US, on August 23, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Saint Jude Parish Church, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468, US, on August 24, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull, CT.