Barbara A. (Guilmain) Santagata

Barbara A. (Guilmain) Santagata, 64, of Griswold, CT, died November 5, 2023 in Backus Hospital, Norwich, CT. She was the wife of Paul Santagata for forty-one years. Born in Woonsocket, she was the daughter of the late Douglas and Theresa (Robidoux) Guilmain.

Barbara had a love of, and fascination for, Viking, Iron, and Bronze Age Nordic culture and mythology. Over the years she amassed a large collection of research material and acquired extensive knowledge on the subject. Self-taught, she learned to read meanings of the Elder Futhark Runes, as well as, understand parts of ancient Norse language.
As strong as her love of Nordic Culture, was her love for animals. If wildlife was in distress she intervened, even if it meant waiting in a field for a wildlife rescuer to save an injured swan. Her adopted dogs and cats were her children. A talented artist, she painted, carved, and hand crafted numerous objects during her life time. Often they had Nordic themes. She also loved Early American Architecture, and enjoyed traveling throughout New England and Pennsylvania visiting Historic House Museums. Life dealt her a difficult hand health wise since her late teens, but through it all she was a kind person with a compassionate heart.

Along with her husband, Paul, she is survived by her siblings, Joanne Guilmain of Foster, Diane Soucie of Plainfield, CT, and Kenneth Guilmain of Jacksonville, NC; as well as, several nieces and nephews

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 1-3 PM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the RISPCA online at http://www.rispca.org

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