Bridget Tara Seaman-Walker, 57, died suddenly, Friday, April 16, at Danbury Hospital.

Bridget had always called Newtown her home. A lifelong resident, born October 9, 1963, she attended St Rose of Lima School and graduated Newtown High School in 1981.

Bridget had an undeniable love of horses, taking care of them while growing up on the family’s Hanover Road farm. Her fondness of horses carried into adulthood, leading to a 30+ year streak of attending the Belmont Stakes. Bridget could recite what horse owner hired what jockey, who the trainer was, leading into how the horse would run in the highlighted race. Generally, she was spot on! Bridget took great pride in her collection of horse memorabilia, particularly her panoramic photo finish showing Secretariat winning.

While growing up in Newtown, Bridget was fortunate to drive across country with her mother and brother Bill. She would often recall many escapades that would put her into such a belly laugh, tears from laughter would start falling. Trips to Maine visiting her sister Lynn were always a joy as well. Bridget may have stopped traveling, but “Flat Bridget” (inspired by Jeff Brown’s Flat Stanley book series first published in 1964) picked up traveling around the country and world with friends and family, leaving a documented lifestyle.

After 12/14, Bridget wanted to give back to her community. If there was a connection to be made, Bridget found a solid one by joining a group of old friends helping organize the 2013 Great Newtown Reunion, a Day of Healing. Panacea, Newtown’s ‘70s-era rock band, returned that summer, and continues to return to perform every year Labor Day weekend at Dickinson Memorial Park. At those shows, Bridget was instrumental in helping to raise awareness for the need of food donations for FAITH Food Pantry of Newtown. Concertgoers brought the goods, and then Bridget and friends delivered the collection to the pantry, promoting a successful drive every year.

For just shy of 14 years, Bridget was a fixture in the front office of The Newtown Bee. She did not carry an office title, but she fit the position of front office coordinator, always helping customers as they entered the building. As well as greeting people, answering phones, collecting money, and taking classified and display ads, Bridget formed bonds with the customers she constantly spoke with, whether it be for renewing an ad or calling for payments. Her presence will be missed in the office.

Having many friends spread across the country and other continents, Bridget was able to maintain current friendships while reconnecting with old friends through social media outlets.

Bridget’s strong-willed personality will truly be missed. She is survived by her husband, James Walker; son, William Matthew Seaman, and his fiancé, Susan “Susie” Leniart; brother Mark and wife, Linda; niece Shannon and nephew Zach; sister, Lynn, and husband, Ken Thibault; brother William Jr and partner, Kim Spreyer; brother Paul; niece Melissa and nephew Jason; and many great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Olive McNamara Seaman and William Joseph Seaman.

In lieu of flowers, contributions and donations may be made in Bridget’s memory to FAITH Food Pantry of Newtown. Monetary donations should be mailed to PO Box 53, Newtown, CT 06470. Food donations may be dropped off in the front office of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

Burial arrangements are private. Family and friends will gather to celebrate a life well loved, and lost too soon.