Marie Barnett

Born April 7, 1942 in West Chester, PA, to Walter and Kathryn Hartley. She graduated from Winterport High School, Winterport, Maine. She then returned to West Chester to attend Chester County School of Nursing, from where she graduated in 1963, passed her boards and became an R.N. She married Joseph C. Barnett, Jr on July 18, 1964 in West Chester. Together they raised their daughters in West Chester. Marie excelled at homemaking—the cookie jar was always full of homemade cookies and dinner was always made from scratch. The house was always spotless—you never knew who was going to stop by! Marie made most of the girl’s clothes until they went off to college. Then she discovered quilting. She made over a dozen quilts for family and friends as well as many table runners, Christmas tree skirts and other smaller projects. She also picked up counted-cross stitch as a hobby. Marie was a Band Booster during the girl’s high school band careers, never missing a cavalcade or band performance.

Together with Joe, she traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. She was (almost) always a willing companion to any adventure offered to her. She camped, canoed, rafted, hiked, skied, golfed and biked in many beautiful areas around the country.

Marie was an active member of West Chester United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She belonged to the Upper Room Sunday School Class, was Sunday School Secretary for a number of years, volunteered in the church office, helped with Vacation Bible School, baked pies for the Apple Affair, chaperoned Sr. High UMYF trips, and was a member of the Investment Club.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Steven Hartley and sister-in-law Kathy Hartley, brother-in-law Peter Harris and nephew Glenn Hartley. In addition to Joe, Marie is survived by daughters Debbie (Doug) Parvin of Hillsborough, NJ, and Karen (Bob) Johnson of Odenville, AL. Grandchildren Ian (Mary) Johnson of Bowling Green, KY; Meredith Parvin of Chapel Hill, NC, and Amanda Johnson of Odenville, AL; sisters: Mary Helen (Jim) Barnett of Tel Hai, PA and Cynthia Harris of Rockland Maine as well as 7 nephews and 1 niece.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Chapel at Cornwall Manor at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marie’s memory to Wellspan Hospice (1503 Quentin Rd, Lebanon, PA 17042) or the Cornwall Manor Benevolence Fund (1 Boyd Street, Cornwall, PA