Obituary of Barbara M. Toledo

Barbara was born on October 26, 1949 in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  She was the only adopted daughter of Joseph and Nellie Caiazzo.  She attended Central High School and graduated with a nursing degree from St. Vincent’s Nursing College in 1969.  This began a 35 year career as a nurse, first as a hospital nurse and then as the Director of Health for Head Start.  She loved caring for others, and she loved being a nurse.

She met Manuel Toledo while vacationing with girlfriends in Puerta Rico.  They married on September 14, 1979. They welcomed a baby boy, their only child, in 1980.  “Little Joey” was Barbara’s pride and joy from the moment of his birth until the moment of her death. She was a doting and devoted mother.  The highlight of Barbara’s life was seeing “Joey” become “Fr. Joseph” at his Ordination Mass in the Archdiocese of Denver in 2009.

Barbara was a life-long traveler.  Mother and son travelled all through the United States.  She loved Caribbean cruises, and she loved showing as many places as she could to her dear Joey.  She passed on her love for seeing the wonder of God’s creation to her son. 

When Joey was very young, Barbara developed a strong desire and determination to raise her son to know God personally.  She entered the NeoCatechumenal Way and became part of a community that welcomed her and her family.  She participated fully in The Way for decades, and through that active life in the Church, her son was able to hear his call to the priesthood.  Barbara was devoted to God, her Catholic faith, and St. Raphael’s Catholic Parish.  She had a tremendous heart for seminarians.  She loved and supported them, often having them for dinner at the family home.  She had a sincere appreciation for the priesthood and was very proud to have her son become a Catholic priest.

Barbara died peacefully in her home on November 6, 2024.   She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.  She is survived by her only son, Reverend Joseph Toledo, of Fort Collins, Colorado. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 11am in St. Raphael Catholic Parish.  Interment will take place at a later date at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Denver, CO. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Barbara’s honor can be directed to her son’s parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 5450 S. Lemay Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525.