Barrie Brett Gonzalez of New Canaan, Connecticut and Tequesta, Florida passed away on June 20, 2026, following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Her husband, Ralph, and sister, Suzanne, were at her side when she passed.
Barrie Brett Gonzalez
Barrie Stevenson Brett was born on March 5, 1950, in San Francisco, California, to Bruce Yeomans Brett and Jacqueline Dewey Brett. Her father was a publishing executive who later became President of the MacMillan Company, and her mother was a homemaker and later a magazine editor. Barrie lived her younger years in New Canaan. During the summers, Barrie and the Brett family traveled to the Adirondacks to the camp of her grandfather, George P. Brett. The camp, called “The Pines”, was passed down to Barrie’s parents and then to her and her siblings. The entire Brett and Gonzalez clan still visits “The Pines” every summer.
In 1964, Barrie’s family moved to Tequesta, Florida. It was in these teenage years that her love of learning and eventual passion for education would form. While attending Jupiter High School, she was a member of the Honor Society, and her activities included yearbook editor and Future Teachers of America. She graduated high school in 1968 and began her undergraduate journey at the University of Florida. In 1971, she transferred to Florida State University where she was able to pursue her passion as she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in visual impairment. It was during that fall semester as a Florida State Seminole that Barrie met the love of her life, Ralph Gonzalez, at a dance in Salley Hall dorm. They spent the next 55 years dancing through life together as partners and best friends.
Following graduation from FSU in 1973, Barrie worked as a teacher in Martin County, Florida. She and Ralph were married on June 22, 1974, and settled in Miami, where Barrie worked for the Dade County Schools for 13 years. During this time, they welcomed their first two sons, Edward (1979) and Michael (1981), and Barrie earned her first master’s degree from Florida International University. Barrie often expressed her passion for teaching was far more than a job, but a vocational calling. The enduring impact of that calling could be seen each Christmas, as for decades she received holiday cards from former pupils.
In 1987, the family relocated to New Canaan, Connecticut, where Barrie and Ralph welcomed their third son, Philip (1988).
For the next 32 years, Barrie’s teaching career spanned several positions and locations, including time the family spent living abroad in Spain and Mexico. Upon their return to New Canaan, Barrie worked as a special education teacher for Stamford Public Schools until her retirement. As a lifelong learner and advocate for change, Barrie saw an opportunity to help more students in need so in 2006 she completed her second master’s degree in education, this time specializing in English as a second language from Fairfield University. During the program, Barrie’s academic performance and commitment to service earned her induction into Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. Barrie was an active member of the Dean’s Council of Anne’s College of Education at Florida State University. Barrie’s retirement in June 2015 after 42 years was the closing of one of the most meaningful chapters in her life – one dedicated to education, mentorship and a legacy of kindness to all those who knew her during her career.
In retirement, Barrie had two great joys: Spending time with her growing army of grandchildren and traveling the world with Ralph. Over the years they visited France, Poland, Spain, Scotland, Japan, Australia, Chile, Argentina and more. Even in the two years since her stage IV diagnosis, there were more than half a dozen trips to see grandkids and two overseas adventures with Ralph.
Barrie is survived by Ralph, her husband of 52 years; her sons, Edward (Julianne), Michael (Lia), and Philip (Alexandra); eight grandchildren: Gabriel, Elliott, Chloe, Joshua, Noah, Layla, and twins Caleb and Eliza; her siblings, Robert, Brad, and Suzanne; and six nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Bruce, and her parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2 Cherry Street in New Canaan, on Saturday, June 27, at 12:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear joyful colors. Following the Mass, a Celebration of Life reception will be held at the Country Club of New Canaan at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of Flowers the family requests that donations be made to either:
The American Cancer Society, or The Florida State University College of Education
c/o The Florida State University Foundation
325 West College Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301
The Family is being compassionately cared for by the staff at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan CT 06840. For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.