*Service Update*

Join us in honoring the vibrant life of Caren O'Connor Bourdeau on April 5, 2025. We invite you to a joyful gathering at the Woodbury Senior Center from 12:30 to 3:30 PM. Friends, family, and all who cherished her are warmly welcomed. Please wear colorful attire while joining us to celebrate her life. The Woodbury Senior Center is situated at 281 Main St., Woodbury, CT 06798. We look forward to celebrating together!

Caren O'Connor Bourdeau, 81, of Woodbury, passed away on February 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving children. Born to the late John "Jack" O'Connor and Eleanor Edwards O'Connor, Caren grew up in Naugatuck alongside her  brother, John O'Connor.

At 18, Caren met and married her late husband, Leonard J. Bourdeau of Woodbury, with whom she shared a beautifully imperfect journey of 61 years filled with love and adventure. Together, they welcomed four beloved children: John Bourdeau (wife Milly), Danielle Altieri (husband Daren), Renée Caldareri (husband Tony), and Lenny Bourdeau Jr. (wife Shana), who were blessed to have a mother who devoted herself to their happiness.

Caren's passion for adventure ignited when she became a mother. She embraced family trips, often packing up the camper for countless summer retreats to Rhode Island and cozy winters in Florida, where she enjoyed shelling and sunset beach walks. Even when Lenny was unable to drive, Caren's spirit remained uncontainable; she would grab a tent and head out with the kids on her own, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

Her love for fishing transcended generations, as she passionately taught her children and later her grandchildren—Dylan, Julia, Braden, Antonio, Gabriella, Olivia, and Lilyana—the joys of reeling in life's greatest catches. Family was the cornerstone of her life; she selflessly prioritized their needs and achievements, never missing a first day of school, dance recital, communion, graduation, or any special occasion.

A lover of beauty and creativity, Caren had a remarkable eye for design. She would often sneak into homes under construction, envisioning how she would style each room. Her own home was an exquisite blend of cherished antiques from her grandparents and beautiful finds from local stores, adorned with flowers from her vibrant gardens. She possessed an effortless style that radiated no matter the occasion, always beautifully put together.

Caren O'Connor Bourdeau will be remembered not only for her unwavering love for her family but also for her adventurous spirit, impeccable taste, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love that will endure in the hearts of her family and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held in the spring, as winter just isn't colorful enough to honor the vibrant spirit she brought to our lives. Details will be shared closer to the date.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com