Barbara Andrews Gitchell

April 30, 2021

Barbara Gitchell, 84 of West Hartford, daughter of the late Joseph and Mildred (Millie) Andrews, passed away Friday, April 30, 2021. Barbara was born and raised in Hartford and graduated from Hartford High School. Her family and lifelong friends remember her for her beautiful rose garden she tended each year as well as her sharing the fragrant and showy blooms from her garden. Barbara had a boundless love of animals of all kinds, especially songbirds. In her home she kept a unique clock in the living room which sang a different bird song at each hour. She loved to shop finding new places to discover and procured a turtle statuette collection she displayed and loved to share in with her grandchildren, especially the bobbles. Barbara is even known to have owned two Painted (Sun) turtles. Barbara is predeceased by her parents as well as her devoted husband, Lawrence Gitchell of 12 years, brothers Fred Andrews, Joey Andrews and wife Nancy, and John Andrews. She leaves behind son, Donald Eugene Randall of West Hartford; daughter, Dawn Parizo and deceased husband Mitch of Burlington; daughter, Denise Tripp of Bristol; and son, Darren Joseph Randall and wife Donna of Unionville; 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind Ruth (Gitchell) Rempt of Bloomfield; and Alice (Gitchell) and husband Jamie Cromartie of Egg Harbor, NJ; and their sons Ben and Robert Lawrence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave., West Hartford with burial immediately following at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours are Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. The family would like to express our deep gratitude for the wonderful help and care given by Hughes Health & Rehabilitation. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.