Barbara Berington-Kish

Barbara Berington-Kish, 74, a lifelong resident of Torrington, passed away July 31, 2025, after an extended illness.

“Barbs” was a unique woman who marched to the beat of her own drum. A vegetarian who always demonstrated great compassion for all animals, she adored cats most of all. She owned several throughout her life, the most recent being the aptly named “Big Kitty,” a huge stray who she adopted.

Barbs had a ferocious sweet tooth and loved shopping, especially for crystals, candles, jewelry, and houseplants. She possessed a keen interest in all things new age and paranormal. She adored classic movie monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the Wolfman. Her crowning glory was a head of long, wavy, lustrous locks which strangers complemented, and Rapunzel would have envied. She would eventually cut her hair while living at Valerie Manor but then added a very Stevie Nicks-Esque Black bowler hat to her signature look.

She is survived by her brother and his wife, John and Linda Kish of Harwinton, CT, and niece Amy Kish of Thomaston. Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cook Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to The Last Post Animal Shelter, 95 Belden St., Falls Village, CT 06031.