Dr. Barbara Jean Flynn Sideleau, age 76 of Trumbull, died Thursday, April 30, 2009 in St. Vincent's Medical Center. She was born February 4, 1933, most beloved daughter of the late Joseph C. and Rose Maher Flynn, and wife of Robert C. Sideleau. Barbara was born and raised in Bridgeport and a resident of Trumbull for 52 years. She graduated from Lauralton Hall, St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing, University of Bridgeport, Yale University and Columbia University. Barbara began her nursing career at St. Vincent's, became a Resident Advisor at Stratford Hall at the University of Bridgeport, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree. She later taught Pediatric Nursing at St. Vincent's School of Nursing. She was invited to become part of the original faculty at Fairfield University's new School of Nursing, and led the accreditation committee several times during her tenure as Assistant Professor to successful accreditation by the NLN. Barbara taught psychiatric nursing from 1970-1991 at the University. In 1969 she spearheaded the establishment of the Beacon House, a drug treatment / counseling program in Trumbull. Barbara was a licensed family therapist and maintained a private practice. She started the Mu Chi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing at Fairfield University. Barbara co-authored and edited Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing for four editions, twice winning the NLN Book of the Year Award. She was an editor for the monthly nursing journal Issues in Mental Health Nursing and was selected to write exam questions for the Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing. Barbara was also recognized in the National High School Essay Association, published in Young America Speaks, the World Who's Who of Women in Education, and Who's Who in American Nursing. An endlessly loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Barbara cherished each of her children and grandchildren and relished her time on the beach in St. Thomas, voraciously reading a suitcase full of novels she brought to sustain her through her month long winter break from teaching. She treasured getting together with her Golden Girls to play cards, eat, and chat. She greatly loved preparing Sunday dinner for the whole family and enjoyed the company of her dog, Tiny. In addition to her husband, Barbara is survived by her children and their spouses, Gregoire Robert Sideleau of Sandy Hook, Michelle Mary Sideleau Wendt and husband Steven of Easton, Brian David Sideleau and wife Jane of Stuart, FL, and Robert Joseph Sideleau and his partner Tim Jukins of New Haven, her grandchildren, Kathleen Sideleau Sutherland, Dominique Gabriella Sideleau, Brendan Flynn Wendt, Kelly Rose Wendt, Allison Violet Wendt, Ryan Joseph Wendt, and Brian David Sideleau, Jr., her great granddaughter, Grace Kathleen Sutherland, her cousins, Carol Ketcham, Mary Jane Flynn, and Anne Marie Walsh, and the Golden Girls (long may they rule) Anne Markham Richard, Judy Creatore, and Nancy Nagem Curley. Funeral services will be held Monday, at 10:00am meeting directly in St. Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Ave.,
Bridgeport,with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Sunday, from 3pm to 7pm, in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made in memory of Barbara Flynn Sideleau to the Fairfield University School of Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com