Bonita (Millard) Birden

Bonita “Bonnie” Marie (Millard) Birden (September 8th, 1956-May 11, 2023) passed away peacefully at the age of 67 after a lengthy battle with frontotemporal dementia. Her last years were spent under the loving care of the professionals at LiveWell in Southington, CT. 

Bonnie was born in Torrington, Connecticut. She moved to California as a young child, graduated from Edgewood High School and began working with her father at GTE (now Verizon).  She later returned to Connecticut in her early twenties where she raised her two daughters in Winchester with their father, Keith Birden, her former husband for 27 years. 

Bonnie loved learning and meeting new people. To this end, she graduated from Northwestern Community College with an associate's degree in Accounting and worked as a teller at Litchfield Bancorp & Northwest Community Bank for many years.

She spent the next chapter of her life in South Carolina, where she met many friends in the Hilton Head community and enjoyed warm weather, dining, and traveling with her partner Tom Kirland. It was during this time she switched careers to work for Comfort Care as a caregiver/companion for the elderly which she described as a fulfilling job helping others in need.

Bonnie is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Stacey and Kevin Fitzgerald, and Lindsay and Wesley Weyant, along with her three grandchildren Zoey Fitzgerald, Oscar Weyant and Lucy Fitzgerald. She is also survived by sister Gwen Millard, nieces Emily Belden, Alaina Ortiz and Leanne Elder along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her mother Margaret (Walsh) Millard, father Irwin Millard and brother Wayne Millard.

Bonnie was a loving and devoted mother whose life was centered around her two daughters as they grew up. She was a caring aunt and dear friend to many. She enjoyed traveling and some of her happiest times were trips to Disney World with her family.  Bonnie had a beautiful smile, a kind voice, and a calming nature.  Whether it was family, friends, or even strangers, she was always the first to help others in need. In her final years at Livewell she was consistently described as sweet, easy going, and always smiling.  Those who loved Bonnie can hold her memory close by recalling her kindness, sense of humor, loyal friendships, and of course, her passion for “I Love Lucy”.

A celebration of life will take place at Market Place Tavern at 7 North Street in Litchfield, CT at 1pm-3pm Monday June 19, 2023. Those wishing to honor her life can make a donation in her name at The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. www.theaftd.org

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