Barbara Jo Strong

Barbara Jo Strong, 78 of Stratford, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021. The family will hold memorial services at 3:30 in the afternoon on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at First Christian Church with Pastor Byron Harper officiating. Cremation is under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors.Barbara was born on March 30, 1943, in New London Connecticut to Erick and Frieda (Reimer) Michaud. She grew up in the Noank and Groton area. She became a welder and became the first woman welder working for General Dynamics, Electric Boat. She met and married Kenneth Strong on May 4, 1989, and the couple moved to Stratford where they made their home; he preceded her in death in 2019. Barbara was an inaugural member of the Painting and Crocheting Angels that sent countless blankets to the VA and countless caps to the NICU at the hospitals. She also taught children as well as adults how to paint and love the craft. She loved to give classes on both crocheting and painting, expecting nothing in return. It was truly her passion and she loved to share it with others. She was a member of the First Christian Church and will be truly missed by all the lives she touched.In addition to her husband, she is also preceded in death by her parents, brother: Michael Michaud.Barbara is survived by her children: George DeVirgilio (Kim) and David Tolbert (Heidi) of Groton, CT; brother: Erick Michaud of Rhode Island; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and other extended family members; she is also survived by her dear friend, Kay Payne of Stratford.