Barbara Ryan Faulstich

The world lost a truly one-of-kind individual on February 22, 2025. Barbara Ryan Faulstich of Higganum, CT passed away peacefully at the age of 92 with her niece and nephew by her side. Those who knew and loved Barbara can take comfort as they mourn her loss in knowing that this dynamic, courageous, resilient, thoughtful, kind, and fiercely independent woman lived an incredibly full life and that she leaves a legacy that will live long beyond her years with us.

Born May 15, 1932, in Holyoke, MA to Charles W. Ryan and Leona A. (Burnett) Ryan, Barbara was raised in the small town of Hatfield, MA. After graduating high school from Smith Academy, she received her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from the Springfield Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse. She subsequently worked in a variety of nursing capacities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. She later received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Southern Connecticut State University in 1964, a testament to her lifelong commitment to continuing education.

As a young nursing student on a blind date, she met the love of her life, Charles J. Faulstich, and they married in 1953. Barbara and Charles built a beautiful life together and established permanent roots in Central Connecticut when they purchased a lovely 19th century country house in Higganum and made it uniquely their own over the years. Their home was a warm, ever-evolving showcase of their combined interests and passions, adorned with a workshop, antiques, collectibles, books, weaving looms, and works of art of depicting Barbara’s favorite animal, the owl. They immersed themselves in the community and became highly engaged in civic affairs and local events. Barbara absolutely loved Higganum and the surrounding region, so much so that when she realized the time was right to transition to a senior living community just two years ago, she insisted that she remain in the Connecticut region that was her home for seven decades.

Barbara and Charles celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1978, just two years before Charles passed away due to complications stemming from a long-term illness that they valiantly battled together. As his illness progressed, Barbara made his health her primary focus and became certified in dialysis so they could spend more time together in their home and minimize the travel required for his treatment. Her devotion to Charles was eternal. She was still wearing her wedding and engagement rings at the time of her passing and went to great lengths to honor her husband’s legacy after he passed, including attending his Yale University class reunions on his behalf for decades and supporting causes he cared deeply about.

Despite her loss and grief, Barbara found inspiration and a new sense of purpose in traveling the world, exploring her passions, being of service to the causes and organizations she believed in, affirming her spiritual faith, and cultivating her wide, ever-expanding web of relationships. She traveled extensively, near and far, to visit loved ones, volunteer, go on whale-watching excursions, attend retreats, research her family roots in Ireland and Scotland, and explore globally significant places and sites. Barbara loved being outdoors and especially being near the water. She elevated her mastery of weaving and knitting and used her distinctive talents to make countless beautiful gifts for loved ones. She studied genealogy, and likely achieved PhD level knowledge on the topic, and traced her family roots with remarkable precision. In between all of this, she played Mahjong with friends, attended concerts of her favorite artists, put her memberships to numerous museums, societies and organizations throughout New England and New York to great use, picked stocks, and beat cancer. She viewed hand-written correspondence as a lost art and was renowned for her seemingly endless list of family and friends who always knew they were in her thoughts as they received her cards and thoughtful, often handmade, gifts via mail year after year for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and just because.

With her eclectic style, undeniable presence, and colorful personality to match, over time Barbara became affectionately known as “The Lady in Red” throughout Central Connecticut. She was immediately recognizable in her long red dresses, a layered bright red extra-long linen shirt, a seasonal red coat, red Uggs and her trademark hand-knitted red hat, matching red shawl, and large red framed glasses. She had a quick wit, a delightful sense of humor, and a completely unapologetic willingness to say whatever was on her mind to whoever happened to be in her presence.

Barbara was innately curious, the personification of a lifelong learner, and never ceased to amaze with her intellectual gifts. She found virtually everything interesting and constantly sought new ways to expand her mind and stay sharp. She volunteered with the Middlesex Institute of Lifelong Education and audited classes at Middlesex Community College. She read the New York Times cover to cover daily, and did the same with her subscriptions to Time, The Economist, and Vogue. She was equally fluent in current affairs and historical events. She memorized facts that mattered to her with uncanny accuracy, including addresses, phone numbers, her account numbers, and significant dates and details about the lives of those she knew and loved. She devoured books, fiction and non-fiction, loved films across genres, and astounded others with her knowledge that spanned so many domains. She attended educational, spiritual, and self-growth retreats and immersed herself in an array of forums that allowed a vibrant exchange of ideas with others, including those who held different beliefs and perspectives.

The legacy she leaves is one of courage, resilience, cultivation of relationships, thoughtfulness, giving, and a truly awe-inspiring independence and refreshing sense of self that ensured she lived her way each and every day of her long, remarkable, and wonderfully adventurous life.

Barbara was preceded in death by her aforementioned husband, Charles J. Faulstich, and her parents, Charles W. and Leona A. (Burnett) Ryan, her sister, Judith E. (Ryan) Harris, many dear friends, and several beloved pets who were blessed to live in her doting care. She is survived by her niece, Barbara A. Harris and her wife Jennifer, her nephew, Brian J. Harris and his wife Grace and their daughters, and her great nieces, Olivia and Catarina Harris, her sister-in-law Sally (Faulstich) Clifford, and a wide circle of cherished friends and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the United Congregational Church of Haddam and Higganum at the Higganum Campus, 23 Parsonage Road, Higganum, CT on Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00 pm. The family will host a gathering, open to all who attend, immediately following the Service in the Church’s Social Hall. In honor of “The Lady in Red”, without going to too much trouble, please feel free to wear something red, or even a red accessory, as an added tribute.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Barbara’s name to the American Heart Association or to Friends of Hammonasset Park, with a designation of your gift to the Meigs Point Nature Center, at hammonasset.org. 

To share memories or send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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