Barbara “Bunny” Hotchkiss Mott, 79, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on September 23, 2026, at Middlesex Hospital, surrounded by her family's love.

Bunny was born on January 3, 1947, in New Haven, Connecticut, to the late William M. and Lee (Blanchard) Hotchkiss. She grew up in West Haven and later attended Bay Path University in Massachusetts. She spent many years raising her family in Northford before later making her home in Middletown.

Bunny shared more than 57 years of marriage with her devoted husband, Fred Mott. Fred was her loving husband and constant companion, always by her side.

Above all else, Bunny cherished her family. She devoted many years to being a stay-at-home mother, raising her five children and creating a home filled with love. As her family grew, she remained a constant source of encouragement and support, always there to celebrate their accomplishments, help them through difficult times, and remind them how deeply they were loved. Her family remained the center of her world throughout her life.

Bunny also enjoyed a meaningful professional life. She worked as a real estate agent with the William M. Hotchkiss Company in New Haven and later with Coldwell Banker in Wallingford. She also worked in Human Resources at Bayer and Yale New Haven Hospital. Throughout her life, Bunny genuinely wanted to help others and make a difference in her community.

Her faith was an important and enduring part of who she was. Bunny deeply loved God and Jesus and was a member of St. Pius X Church. She lived her faith through service to others, volunteering at soup kitchens and giving her time as a Sunday School teacher at St. Francis Cabrini Church. Her faith strengthened her throughout her life and showed in the compassion and generosity she offered those around her.

Bunny knew how to enjoy life and especially treasured time with the people she loved. She loved to travel, go out to eat, and rarely passed up the chance to look at the dessert menu. She enjoyed playing games with family and friends, especially Scrabble and card games, and was an avid reader who was seldom without a book nearby. Some of her happiest moments were spent surrounded by family at gatherings, sharing meals, playing games, laughing, soaking up the sun, and simply being together.

Those who knew Bunny will remember her for her unconditional love, kindness, generosity, warmth, strong faith, and unwavering love for the people in her life. She found joy in both life’s adventures and its simple pleasures, but nothing meant more to her than her family.

In addition to her husband, Fred, Bunny is survived by her five children, Elizabeth Orlando and her husband, Kris, of North Carolina; William Mott of Connecticut; Catherine Miller and her husband, Benjamin, of North Carolina; Alexander Mott and his wife, Karolina, of Connecticut; and David Mott of Colorado.

She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Kevin Orlando and his wife, Ashton; Justin Orlando and his wife, Valentina; Jasmine Orlando, Carynna Mott, Izabella Mott, Eli Miller, and Enzo Miller; her three great-grandchildren, Noah Orlando, Sloane Orlando, and Owen Orlando; and her sister, Delight DeBernardis.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 5, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bunny’s honor to Feeding America.

Bunny’s memory will live on through the family she loved so dearly, the friends who treasured her, and the many people whose lives she made better.

To share memories or express condolences online, please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.