Lea A. Barbeau

Lea Agnes (Corbeil) Barbeau, 96, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025, at Brightview Canton Living Center. Born and raised in Wauregan, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Cleophas and Blandine (Herbieux) Corbeil.

Lea graduated from Killingly High School in 1946. In her senior yearbook, she lightheartedly noted that her ambition was “to be an old maid.” Life, however, had other plans. After World War II, she met and married the love of her life, Paul Joseph Barbeau, a proud Marine Corps veteran. For 68 years, they nurtured a devoted and loving marriage, cherishing their time between Storrs, Connecticut and Blue Hill, Maine.

She is survived by her sister, Lorraine Czeluzniak and her husband Bill of Connecticut, and her three children: Paulette Coln of Louisiana; Gary Barbeau and his wife Coleen of New Jersey; and Linda Monahan and her husband Rick of Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Paul, as well as her sisters Lillian Morin and Lucille Caya, and her brother Gerard Maurice “Moe” Corbeil.

Lea leaves behind a proud legacy through her seven grandchildren—Joseph and Michael Smith, Brett Schomer, Dylan Barbeau, and Daniel, Michael, and Ryan Monahan—and ten great-grandchildren: Baylor, Leah, Zander, Nayeli, Lucy, Finn, Sadie, Ethan, Natalie, and Elam. Lea’s greatest joy was her family, spending time around the table playing cards, drinking coffee and talking till late into the night. Many of the grandchildren fondly recall Nana’s ever-present candy and cookie jars, with a special memory of the breadbox always filled with red Twizzlers. Above all, she will be cherished for the love she poured into passing down the treasured family tradition of crepe-making

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Brightview Wellness Village, the compassionate hospice caregivers of Care Dimensions, and the dedicated 24-hour nurses from Comfort Care for the exceptional care and kindness shown to Lea during her final days.

Lea’s funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 29, 2025 at 10:00am at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226 with assembly at the church. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Road, Willimantic, CT 06226.