Obituary

Barbara A. Caronna, age 89, of Laguna Woods, CA passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, surrounded by her children, at Hoag Hospital in Irvine, CA following a short period of declining health.

Born on January 9,1936 in Waltham MA, the first of two children to John and Cleophas McHugh. Barbara had many fond memories of her childhood with many, many cousins all growing up close to each other. She had a large extended family, and they all got together almost every weekend when she was growing up.

In 1955, at the age of 19 Barbara and her family moved out west to Southern California. She worked for the bus company where she met her husband, Paul. Starting as a dispatch operator and later retiring as a supervisor in 1980. She attended night classes at UCLA while raising her 2 oldest children.

In 1980 after her 4th child was born, she opened and operated a family day care. She helped shape the lives of many children. Barbara was born to be a mom. She had 5 children of her own and raised many more. Barbara and her Husband Paul were foster parents to several children who needed a safe stable home. In her later years she enjoyed spending time with her children and being involved in their milestones whether big or small.

Barbara is predeceased by her husband Paul Caronna, father John McHugh, mother Cleophas McHugh, brother John McHugh, one grandson Steven John Godin, and five great grandchildren Austin Godin, Harrison Godin, Rhiannon Godin, Henley Godin, and Aniston Godin, brother-in-law Paul Roy, niece Amy Eckert. She is survived by her son Richard Godin, (Laura), son Steven Godin (Laura), daughter Kelly Caronna, daughter Kathleen Hively, daughter Isabelle Rojas-Gauthier (Dylan), grandson Steven Godin Jr. (Danielle), grandson Andrew Godin (Samantha), great-granddaughter Makenna Godin, great-granddaughter Amielia Godin, sister-in-law Bonnie McHugh, sister-in-law Betty Franscell (John), brother-in-law Robert Caronna, sister-in-law Susan Roy, sister-in-law Barbara Weber (Fred), niece Colleen Bowles (Tim), niece Erin Stover (Brian), niece Deidre Dechira (Andy), niece Debbie Mattson( Mike), nephew Paul Roy, niece Lisa Demeter (David), niece Julie Franscell, niece Michelle Theeuwes (Mark), niece Laurie Shallop, niece Jennifer Roy, nephew David Roy (Sarah), niece Megan Loskamp (Kyle), niece Ariana Caronna, nephew Matthew  Mercado-Weber (Chloe), nephew Bobby Caronna (Kelsey), nephew Michael Weber. And great-nieces and nephews, Shane and BJ Stover, John, Charlie and Katherine Dechira, Colbi Roy, Brielle and Bryanna Theeuwes, Richie Shallop, Hannah and Elizabeth Roy, Emma and Eloise Loskamp, Freddie and Josie Mercado-Weber.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.