Person Page - 5753

     Mary Jane Barker Mary Jane Aldridge, age 55 of West Haven passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Thomas Aldridge for 28 years. Mary was born in Bridgeport on January 2, 1968, the daughter of the late Arthur and Marcella Kirk Barker and the late Larry Barker. She grew up in Stratford. She received her bachelor's degree in nursing and had worked at Bridgeport Hospital for many years in the cardiac catheter lab. The last few years she worked in a busy cardiac office at Northeast Medical Group in Trumbull. Mary was a dedicated nurse and her care and compassion towards her patients, coworkers and peers that she mentored in the nursing field truly shined through. Mary loved the beach and was always the first one in the ocean no matter how cold the water was. Mary was deeply devoted to her faith, teaching Sunday school, attending bible studies and playing the bass guitar during Sunday services at Haven of Hope Church in Hamden. You could never depart ways without everyone joining hands in prayer. Mary was truly at her happiest whether it was just spending time with her family playing Rummy 500, watching a Yankee's game, or watching movies. Mary was an exemplary human being. During her courageous battle with melanoma, she never once complained. Those who knew her well, knew how deeply she loved and cared for others. She had the most genuine soul and would be there in a heartbeat for anyone no matter what the circumstances, with open loving arms. In addition to her husband Thomas, she is survived by her son, Thomas Aldridge II. She was a devoted wife and mother and was extremely proud of her son Tommy for becoming a US Marine. She is also survived by her siblings Gloria Patterson, Thomas Barker, Bridget Lovell, Paul Story and April Barker, her stepmother Holly Byrne, her mother in-law Betty Aldridge and several loved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law in Virginia. "Janie" will be sadly missed by several nieces, nephews and cousins, especially her cousins, Lisa Ashmore and Michelle Colonna, whom she shared a lifetime bond with. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery, Stratford.² She was buried at Union Cemetery, 23 Temple Court, Stratford, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.² She was born on January 2, 1968 at Bridgeport, Fairfield Co., Connecticut.^1,2 As of February 18, 1995,her married name was Aldridge.¹ She married Thomas Lee Aldridge, son of Marvin Thomas Aldridge and Betty Ruth Williams, on February 18, 1995 at Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2 Mary Jane Barker died on September 12, 2023 at West Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut, at age 55.²

     Mildred Diane Gilchriest Mildred Diane Gray, age 70, of Buna died Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at her home in Buna, Texas. Funeral service will be 2pm Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Adams EE Stringer Funeral Home in Buna. Burial will be in Antioch Cemetery. A native of Bessmay and a lifelong resident of Buna, she was a retired butcher for Kaines Grocery in Buna. She is survived by her daughters, Wyhnona Burnett and husband Burt of Groves, Texas, Ramona Stevens and Rocky King, both of Buna, her brothers, Dickie Gilchriest, Doylin Gilchriest, David Gilchriest, Dayle Gilchriest and Keith Gilchriest, her sisters, Sherry Carrell and Gayle Curtice, six grandchildren, Tyler Burnett, Chase Burnett, Seth Stevens, Kassi Stevens, Macey King and McKenzie Staub. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Alvin Gray, parents, Odis and Ida Marie Gilchriest and her daughters, Linda Barbre and Penny Petty.² She was buried at Antioch Cemetery, Buna, Jasper Co., Texas.^2,3 Her married name was Gray.¹ She married Herbert Alvin Gray, son of Lacy Lee Gray and Bertha Mae Farley.^1,2 Mildred Diane Gilchriest was born on June 14, 1944.³ She died on December 17, 2014 at Buna, Jasper Co., Texas, at age 70.^2,3