Obituary: Barbara A. (Geremia) Kodman, 84, Of Clinton

CLINTON, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Barbara A. (Geremia) Kodman, 84, of Clinton, formerly of Wallingford, died peacefully Saturday, December 26, 2020.

She was the loving wife of the late of Ignacz B. “Val” Kodman.

She was born in Wallingford, May 5, 1936, a daughter of the late James and Wanda (Ferry) Geremia and was a lifelong resident of Wallingford.

She graduated from Lyman Hall H.S. in 1954 and went on to study Early Childhood Development at Briarwood College and UConn, and also took classes with Jackie Haynes at Yale University.
Barbara met Val while working at Masonic Hospital in Wallingford and they married in 1961.

She founded Kodman’s Small World Nursery School in 1969 and was recognized as an Excellent Early Childhood Educator. She retired in June 1997, after 28 years.

She loved all of her wonderful students, their parents and enjoyed working with her Mom, as Grandma of the nursery school. She developed many memorable friendships, including head teacher Lynn, who soon became her best friend.

Barbara was a member of N.A.E.Y.C. – Middlesex Council, the Council of Early Childhood Educators, the Wallingford Chamber of Commerce, The Wallingford Early Childhood Director’s Association and also had served on the Wallingford Public Library Committee.

Barbara enjoyed being with her own children and grandchildren, summering in Rhode Island, camping as well as doing arts and crafts with them.

She is survived by her children, Valerie Kodman of Clinton, James Kodman and wife Paula of Meriden, Maria Cerino of Stonington; her loving grandsons, Aaron, Tony and Jimmy and granddaughter Lauren; her great granddaughters, Haley and Danielle; her sisters-in-law in Hungary, Izabella Zay Ködmön; her nieces, Holly and Noelle Geremia, and nephew, Jay Geremia and their children.

She is predeceased by her son, George James Contos; her brother, James A. Geremia; her son-in-law, Tony Cerino Sr; and many other family members.
Barbara was grateful of everyone’s prayers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 2, 2021, at 10 am directly at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382, Hope Hill Rd., Yalesville, followed by a private Interment at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Wallingford.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (www.stjude.org). Masses in her name are also welcome.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Yalesville Funeral Home.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.