Barbara Birt

Barbara Ann Birt (née Johnson) left this mortal plane on October 29, 2025. She was born in Hartford on August 13, 1931, to Vivian West Brown and Arthur Johnson. In 1949, she married Harry Birt, who she was married to for twenty-one years, they went on to have eight children: Raymond, Rocky, Aaron, Starr, Kim, David, Lance, and Barbie. In addition to being the mother of eight, which was a job on its own, Barbara was also an entrepreneur and an activist, having been a member of the Black Women’s Caucus and the NAACP. She was also instrumental in starting an evening recreational program for the children in West Hills. She worked in various roles throughout her life at the Housing Authority, New Haven Police Department, and Albertus Magnus College.

In addition to her children, this devastating loss is felt by her eight grandchildren Jahir, Enoch, Lisa, Cimberly, Rae Ann, Janocha, Jeremy, Amber, and Max. Her fifteen Great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law Deborah, beloved cousins Michelle Yopp and Edward White, close friend Jackie Bracey and many other cherished relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her brother Raymond St. Jacques, mother Vivian, daughter Barbie, and granddaughter Sasha. Although we grieve our matriarch, we take solace in knowing she lived a full and rich life.