Back to Message Board

Barbara Ann Corrado Ponesse - Class of 1964

Submitted by Bill Norvell 1965 <w.norvell@att.net> on 17/Oct/2025
173.169.104.36

    Barbara Ann Corrado Ponesse departed this world on October 4, 2025 for a more peaceful place with her loving daughter and grandson by her side. Her life is one marked by her deep love for her faith, her family, and the many animals she gave a home to.

Barb was born in Newburgh, N.Y. on November 6, 1946, the oldest child of the late Benjamin and Josephine (Blazick) Corrado. She attended Newburgh schools and graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1964. Barb married Arthur Johnson in 1965 and had their daughter, Lisa (Plunkett). Barb went on to find her lifelong partner in her second marriage with Thom Ponesse. In 1979, they were married and she became step mother to Louis Ponesse.

In 1981, Barb and Thom moved to Longmont, Colorado. and their adventure continued. While in Colorado, they boldly wrote their own story, building their family, businesses, and barns for the ever increasing number (and type) of animals they would adopt and love.

Barb and Thom loved to travel. Cruising in particular was a favorite for them. A highlight was the six country tour of Europe they took in the 90’s. No matter where they were, their partnership and love were apparent and made the experience memorable.

Barb was employed by Boulder County until 1985 , when she obtained her Real Estate Brokers License. She then worked for Niwot Real Estate until 1994. Following that, she and Thom opened Family Auto Center, Inc and they worked together until 2006.

During these adventures, they welcomed four grandsons and a granddaughter into their life, building bunk beds in any spare corner of their house to make sure they could host sleepovers at a moment’s notice. Their passion for those children was an indelible characteristic of their lives until their last moments.

Barb was an avid animal lover and enjoyed puttering/gardening around her house and making food for those she loved. She also took great joy in practicing her faith. She was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi, Catholic Church of Longmont, and volunteered often for the many needs of the community. It seems fitting that the day she passed was also the Feast Day of Saint Francis, the patron saint of animals.

Barb is preceded in death by her husband Thom; her parents, Benjamin and Josephine Corrado; her sister Lynda Leach and her brother John Corrado.

She is survived by her daughter Lisa Ponesse Plunkett and her husband Dave Harper of Boulder CO; her son Louis Ponesse and his wife Mili of Chandler, AZ. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Thomas Plunkett of Longmont, CO; Joseph Plunkett and his wife Shannon of Golden, CO; granddaughter Kristen and her husband Bill Dingwall of Loveland CO; and Louis Ponesse Jr and Thomas Ponesse, of Chandler, Arizona.

She is survived by her sisters Joanne and her husband John McDonough, of Wallkill, N.Y., Karen and Robert Cox of Newburgh and Kathy Corrado, of Newburgh, N.Y. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held on October 30, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 3791 Pike Rd., Longmont, Colorado, 80503, with a Mass at 10:30 am and a reception immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Longmont Humane Society and Colorado Horse Rescue in Barb's name. - November 6, 1946 ~ October 4, 2025