Barbara Jane Verrilli

Barbara Jane Verrilli, 96, of Longmeadow passed away peacefully on September 23, 2022, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She is reunited with her beloved husband, Rocco, who predeceased her in 2008.

She was born on July 3, 1926, to the late Joseph and Freda (Belcher) Stegner and grew up in Brimfield, MA. As a young girl she worked for Sturbridge Village. She majored in English at UMass Amherst graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. She began her adult career writing for a local paper in Albany, NY and later began working as a real estate agent in Longmeadow. She was a true fighter having been a two-time survivor of breast cancer.

She attended First Church of Christ and actively supported and participated in church events as much as possible. She also belonged to the local Garden Club and was an avid gardener. Later on, after retirement, she and her husband procured and sold antique children’s and medical books. She had a deep appreciation of music, art, nature, and enjoyed summering in Wellfleet Cape Cod. Her family will remember her generous love, humor and joyful, cheerful and giving personality, as she lit up every room. More importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She took deep pride and loved her granddaughter, Paige Horn, of Whitinsville, MA.

She leaves behind her daughter Carla Horn of Whitinsville and her companion, Alex Jozefowski; her son Michael Verrilli, D.O. of Longmeadow and his companion, Deborah Uller; her granddaughter Paige Horn of Whitinsville. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews Andrew Hatch, Carol Hutchinson, Holly Hatch, and Alaine Nesmith. Aside from her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Rocco Verrilli, M.D., and her daughter, Lisa Ann. She is also predeceased by her sister Francis Hatch, married to Harold Hatch, her half-brother Wendell Stegner and his wife Carol.

Family and friends are invited for a period of visitation on Friday September 30, 2022, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home located at 220 N. Main St in East Longmeadow with a funeral service following at 2pm. Burial will be held at Longmeadow Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to First Church of Christ Longmeadow or the Susan G. Komen organization.