Barbra-Jean Marcille

Barbra-Jean Marcille passed away on May 31, 2026 at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), surrounded by her loving family. Barbra-Jean is survived by her mother Karla Marcille, and her son Billy Keane of Stonington, CT, as well as her sisters Susan, Andrea and husband Nick, brother Frank and his wife Sunshine as well as many loved cousins. She is predeceased by her beloved father Frank (Skip) Marcille, Jr. and sister Denise Cox. She leaves behind nieces and nephews; Ashley, Zachary, Frankie Ann, Jeffrey, Matthew, Addie, Sophie, Nolan, and Alex as well as her great nephew Lucas Francis and great niece Alaska Rae.

Barbra-Jean was born in New London, CT on March 16, 1970 and was a proud graduate of New London High School Class of 1988 and Southern Connecticut State University Class of 1992. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and dedicated her life to the service of others. She spent the majority of her teaching career at Benny Dover Jackson Middle School, where she specialized in teaching those students that were hardest to reach. Barbra-Jean had a natural gift for connecting with those who often felt unheard. In her classroom, education was more than just a curriculum; she had a unique ability to make learning fun, including field trips with her students to California Fruit to teach them life skills.

Her special gift was rooted in a deep, intuitive empathy. Whether she was navigating the complexities of high school transitions or the developmental milestones of middle school, she saw the individual potential in every student, and her students appreciated her for it. Her students did not just learn from her; they felt seen and celebrated by her.

Barbra-Jean was the “fun” aunt, and she wasn’t afraid to break a few rules to enhance the fun either. Her nieces and nephews recall summer afternoons sneaking into the hotel pools at Misquamicut, bringing full pizzas or happy meals into the movie theater, waterslides, and pillow forts at sleepovers. They are forever grateful for some of their best memories.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Reddy and the colorectal surgery team for their expert care, and to the compassionate staff at the YNHH Surgical ICU for the comfort and dignity they provided during her final days.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday June 4 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home 84 Montauk Ave in New London, Ct. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St Mary Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington Ave in New London, Ct. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the James A. Greenleaf Scholarship Fund at www.jamesgreenleaf.org or to the Colon Cancer Coalition at www.coloncancercoalition.org, to support local screening and preventative education.

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