Barbara (Boyle) Lawson

Barbara Boyle Lawson passed away at Masonicare at Bishop Wicke in Shelton, CT on June 23, 2026.  Her gentle spirit and legacy of kindness and devotion will be forever cherished by all who loved her.

Barbara was born in 1934 in New Haven, CT to the late Bertrand and Dorothy Bohnenkamp Boyle.  She was the loving wife of Thomas L. Lawson, Jr. for nearly 70 years and the last surviving sibling of Roberta Knoefler, Ruth Black, Bertrand ‘Sonny’ Boyle, David Boyle and William Boyle.

Her greatest accomplishment was that of a dedicated homemaker and mother. Barbara was the ‘heart’ of her family.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her daughters Bonnie Lawson (Steven Schilling), Eileen Travers (Wayne) and Christine DiMatteo (Peter), grandchildren Bryan Crisci (Juliana), Meghan Crisci (David Weiner), Sarah Phifer (Jonathan), Catherine Matushek (Michael), Hiliary Bassett, Michael DiMatteo, great-children Willa and Levi Phifer, Thomas Crisci and a new great-granddaughter to be born in September.  She also leaves behind three sisters-in-law Joan Boyle, Janis Boyle and Linda Boyle, many nieces and nephews and lifelong friend Sondra Lublin.

Barbara loved walking her dog Rodney, reading mystery novels, Friday nights with Sondra and Phil Lublin, Ed and Marie Mancini, sitting by the pool with her Aspetuck Village friends, Kohl’s cash and a good round of Rummy 500. 

Barbara was known for her sage wisdom. Her favorite sayings “And this too shall pass” and “Nothing stays the same” along with her gentle counsel will live on in the memories of her beloved family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 11 o’clock in St. Margaret Mary Church, 50 Donovan Lane, Shelton, CT.  All are asked to meet directly at church.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to honor Barbara may be made to The Glaucoma Foundation, 80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700, New York, NY 10038, or GlaucomaFoundation.org. 

To leave an online message for Barbara’s family, please visit our website www.westhavenfuneral.com.

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