Obituary of Joan Martha Babish

Joan M. Babish, better known as Tina, age 70, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Sunday, November 12, 2023. 

Born in New York, Tina grew up in Wilton and graduated from Colby Sawyer Junior College. She worked as an account executive at Marquardt & Roche in the late 70s, Oliver Nursery in Fairfield in the 80s, and later was a stay-at-home mom while her kids were in elementary school. Tina returned to work at Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut in Bridgeport. She went out on a blind date at what is now Little Pub in Fairfield where met Ted, who would become her future husband.

Ted and Tina played on a softball team in the late 80s and early 90s called the Quayle Quarterly and he was number 16 and Tina got a jersey to wear to games that just so happened to be number 8. Ted always said it was meant to be because she was his better half. 

Tina had a deep love for music, such as Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Lou Reed, The Beatles, Eric Clapton (especially Derek & The Dominos), Slaid Cleaves. We will always remember singing “Layla” in the car and waiting for the birds chirping at the end. She always said she wished she had gone to Woodstock at 16 years old. 

Tina was a kind and generous spirit and loved plants. She had house plants galore and a gorgeous garden that she tended to year round. She was basically a horticulture hobbyist. She also took great pleasure for growing vegetables, especially tomato plants and hot peppers for Emmett.

While working at Oliver’s, Tina met her best friend, Zannah. She had a love of accepting everyone into her home with a hot cup of coffee. Everyone had their own special coffee mug at Tina’s house. If you told her you liked a specific coffee or tea, she would make sure she had it for you the next time you came over. Everyone was family to her when the holidays came. She always had a chair for you to sit around the table and welcomed everyone with love. She loved to see everyone around her table eating the food she cooked for them. Tina lovingly accepted all her kid’s friends and anyone who walked into her kitchen knew right away that she was their mom now.

Tina was the true definition of a matriarch. She took great pride in spoiling her grandson, even when she was sick, she made sure to get Mark his dream Christmas present. She was excited to be a grandmother for the second time and wanted nothing more but to meet him. Tina had a witty observation, was hilarious, and quick with a joke. She enjoyed a lovely lunch out with friends and family. 

Tina was a lifelong donor to NPR and lifelong NYT Crossword Puzzle solver, always looking forward to anything edited by Will Shortz. She had an immense love for the beach, especially Penfield Beach in Fairfield. 

Tina’s memory will be lovingly remembered by her spouse, Ted Sonntag; her children, Aislinn Sonntag, Cara Sonntag, and Emmett Sonntag; her cherished grandchildren, Mark Redford and Shane Redford (due December 23^rd); her dear friends, Zannah Crowe and Donna & Mike Tauss; and her beloved dogs, Moxie and Trixie. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. All other services will be held privately. 

Tina’s family would like to thank Constellation Hospice Care, especially her hospice nurse, Stephanie Ortiz, and the nursing staff at Yale New Haven Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital.