Barbara (Gildersleeve) Arduino

Barbara E. (Gildersleeve) Arduino, 96, of Wilbraham passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2015. Born in Springfield, MA on June 15, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mildred (Worthington) Gildersleeve. Educated in local schools, she worked for many years as a Department Manager at Lerner Shops.

Barbara was a devoted communicant of the Catholic Community of St. Elizabeth in Ludlow. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed by her family.

Barbara shared a special, caring relationship with her granddaughter Barbara, who laughed with her at the movies and sang aloud with her old time favorites like For the Good Times and Cry Me a River on their way home. Barbara loved her daughter Beverly dearly, who unselfishly gave herself, day after day, year after year. Beverly and Barbara enjoyed quality time together by playing Rummy, having a cup of coffee and singing Show Me the Way to Go Home, over and over and over.

Barbara is survived by her sons Frank Arduino and his wife Holly of East Longmeadow; Joseph Arduino and his wife Michele of Southampton; her daughters June Dutilly and her husband Adrien of Woodsville, NH and Beverly Shea and her husband Fred of Ludlow. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Barbara Hough, Joseph Hough, Gabrielle Gagner, Tracy Kopacsy, Annmarie Arduino, Jesse Hamel and Jennifer Boydston along with 8 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great- grandchildren. Sadly, she was predeceased by her husband Joseph Arduino in 1994 along with 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Barbaras family would like to thank Mary, Melissa and all of the staff at Wingate and Vivian from Mercy Hospice for the compassionate care given to their mother.

Barbaras family would also like to extend their gratitude to the Visiting Angels caregivers and her special friend and roommate Rose, who prayed with her at bedtime.