Audrey Doris Viggars

October 24, 1928 – June 6, 2026

Some people leave behind a presence so enduring that it becomes part of a family’s very foundation. They become the rhythm of our family’s heart, the quiet thread that holds generations together. Our beloved mother, Audrey Barnett, lovingly known as “Nanny,” was one of those truly extraordinary souls.

On June 6, 2026, at the age of 97, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by the same love she so freely and unselfishly gave throughout her life. Our hearts are heavy with loss, but deeply grateful for the long and beautiful life we were blessed to share with her.

She was the heart of our family in every sense. She had a rare gift for love that came so naturally to her, expressed through her warmth, her humor, and the easy way she could make anyone feel comfortable and cared for in her presence. She was deeply loving and wonderfully funny, always able to bring lightness to a room and comfort to those who needed it most. Her greatest gift was not something tangible, but the way she made people feel—valued, accepted, and cared for just as they were. Her home and her arms were open to all, and her steady presence was a source of comfort and strength throughout our lives. Even when some family members lived far away, she kept them close in heart, bridging distance through her calls, her stories, and the unwavering way she remained part of their everyday lives.

Her life was not defined by material things or accolades, but by the countless quiet ways she cared for others. Through simple acts of kindness, deep generosity, and steadfast devotion, she shaped the lives of everyone around her. She taught us what family truly means—not just through words, but through a lifetime of example. From her, we learned loyalty, compassion, resilience, and the importance of putting love at the center of everything.

Though she did not often speak of faith, she lived its most meaningful principles every day. She forgave freely, loved without conditions, and extended grace without hesitation. Her life reflected the enduring truth of “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8), and that love is the legacy she leaves behind.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband and the love of her life, Ronald Barnett “Oppy Doppy”. Their love was a true testament to the meaning of commitment and devotion, a living example of enduring partnership and faithfulness. Even after his passing, he remained her one and only, and she carried him—and their marriage—in her heart for the rest of her life, speaking of him with love that never dimmed. She was also preceded in death by her cherished eldest son, Philip Barnett and his wife Sarita Shaw.

She is survived by her loving children: Paul Barnett and his wife Chris Barnett; Peter Barnett and his wife Maria Barnett; and Patricia Barnett-Grana and her husband Vincent Grana.

She was a proud and loving grandmother to Andrew Barnett, Michael Barnett, Tim Barnett, Jenny Barnett, James Barnett, Lauren Banico, Vincent Grana Jr., Diana DiVanno, and Teresa Craig. She was also blessed with many great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride. Nothing made her happier than watching her family grow and knowing the love she built would continue through generations.

The space she leaves behind cannot be filled. We will miss her voice, her laughter, her stories, her wisdom, and the quiet reassurance of simply knowing she was there. Yet even in our sorrow, we find comfort in the memories she gave us and the love that continues to bind our family together.

We will see her in every tradition she started, every shared meal, every familiar phrase, and every moment of love passed from one generation to the next.

A life so deeply lived is never truly gone. Her love remains woven into all of us—steadfast, lasting, and unending.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Always with us.