Julia Mary Ursula (Dunn) Barstow

We are sorry to share that Julia “Jo” Barstow left us on April 9, 2024, at home in Mansfield, on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

She leaves behind her husband of 60 years, Allen, along with children Richard (& Peggy) of Marlborough, CT, Alix (& Michael) Fedoruk of Dummerston, VT, and Denise (& Alan) ofSucé-sur-Erdre, France. She was predeceased by all her siblings: James, Sarah, and Richard Dunn. She was the proud grandmother to Rob Barstow of Marlborough, CT; Megan Barstow of Melrose, MA; Julia and Annelise Fedoruk of Dummerston, VT; and Emmelyne and Solenn Girel of Sucé-sur-Erdre, France. She also leaves dear sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

She was born to Wilfrid and Ursula (North) Dunn in Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, England. As a teenager she began the study of languages, which was one of her life’s passions. She worked as a nanny in France, Spain, and Portugal in those years, and learning those languages opened the doors to friendships and jobs throughout her life. She earned a BA and MA from Oxford University’s Somerville College, followed by a PhD in Medieval French Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where she met her future husband. She taught French at Penn and at Moravian College. Jo and Allen moved to Storrs in 1969, where they built their own log home, and raised three children. After teaching French and Spanish at Central Connecticut State University and East Hampton High School, she worked for almost 30 years as the administrator and “Mama Grande” of UConn’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, where she was treasured for her masterful organizational and budgeting skills, and deep caring for many generations of students, faculty, and staff. She also operated her own home bakery “Mrs. Barstow's Bakery”, and became well known for her delicious French bread, particularly at the UConn Friends of Soccer tent.

She followed the UConn Women’s Basketball team to several Final Fours; played various instruments in several early music groups, sang in the Renaissance Revival, and was a founding and sustaining member of “The Sewing Circle”. She sewed many of her own clothes as well as both her daughters’ wedding dresses, fed the family from her large vegetable garden, raised chickens, ducks, goats, and more. She continued studying languages, including Russian into her 80s, even as dementia began to affect her. She loved being a good friend, opening her home to guests from near and far, and helping people make connections with each other.

There will be no calling hours. A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at a later date. Jo-Info@barstow.cx for information.

Donations may be made in memory of Julia (Jo) Barstow to Latin American & Caribbean Studies (fund #28039) at the University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. Checks made payable to the UConn Foundation, Inc. can be mailed to:

The UConn Foundation, Inc. Attn: Data Services

2390 Alumni Dr., Unit 3206

Storrs, CT 06269-3206

Donors can note a gift is in memory of Dr. Barstow either on a check or on the online giving page, and the family will receive a note informing them of the contribution.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Julia Mary Ursula (Dunn) Barstow, please visit our floral store.