Obituary of Barbara Ann Buffardi-Conklin

After a long courageous fight with cancer and COPD, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Barbara Ann Buffardi-Conklin 81, on the morning of October 20,2025. 

Barbara was born in the Bronx on April 16, 1944.  She was the second child born to Edythe Mary and Arthur Felix Cavazzi, sibling to older sister Joyce, and brothers Arthur Charles and Douglas Steven.  The family moved to Eastchester New York.  Barabara attended Eastchester High School and later Berkley College in White Plains New York.  Well known as a beauty, she also attended Barbizon School of Modeling and briefly became a model.      

She married Salvatore Buffardi of New Rochelle New York in 1963 and gave birth to her daughter Donna Marie in 1965.  

 She worked as an administrative assistant for seven years at the County Board of Legislators, and thereafter worked for Metro North Railroad for 29 years where she met and married the love of her life Gary William Conklin in 1982.   Barbara gave birth to her daughter Kelly Lauren in 1983.  Barbara and Gary were to celebrate 43 years of marriage on October 30th.       

Barbara will be remembered for her brilliant smile and as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and was affectionately known as the family photographer since she never went anywhere without her camera. She enjoyed afternoons by the water, on the beach and lounging in the sun which was always with her from the summers spent on the beach as a child at her family’s home by the beach in Connecticut.  She loved to garden, paint and crochet, to collect beautiful objects, antiquing and had a great sense of fashion and a love of beauty in all things.  

She is survived by her husband Gary, daughters Donna Mollica (nee’ Buffardi) and Kelly Nugent (nee’ Conklin), son in laws Harry R Collignon III and Brian Nugent, grandchildren Giana, Valerie, Natalie, Clara, Matthew and Brian, Anthony Collignon, and sister Joyce (nee’ Cavazzi) Marlowe.          

Barbara’s light will never fade; she will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.  She will be forever loved and deeply missed. 

 Should you wish, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the American Cancer Society Lung Cancer Foundation, or the American Lung Association.     

A graveside funeral service will be held at the Assumption Cemetery, 1055 Oregon Road, Cortland Manor, New York on Monday 11/3/25 at 11:00 AM.