Janet Barbara Barneschi

With heavy heart… Janet Barbara Barneschi, 83, beloved wife of 58 years to Armond Barneschi and loving mother to Vanessa and Damian Barneschi, lifted her feet from this earth during the late evening of Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, after a fierce battle of sudden but progressive health complications. The daughter of Raymond and Nellie (Radjunas) Semnowski, she was born and raised her entire youthful life in New Britain, CT before moving to Newington, where she and her husband would later raise their children.

Janet earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from University of Hartford/The Hartt School and continued in that field with her master’s degree from Tufts University. She was an extremely dedicated and caring music teacher as well as assistant principal during her entire career of 38 years spent at Chamberlain Elementary School (New Britain). It was there that she met and kept many cherished friends and where she created bonds with students that lasted into their adult lives. She was a proud member of Alpha Delta Kappa Connecticut ETA chapter (teachers’ sorority president 1998-2000, co-president 2010-12) and International Honorary Organization for Women Educators where she had cherished philanthropic bonds with her sisters. She was also a board member of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra. Not only, however, did she play the piano on the radio since age 5, sing, and teach lessons for every other instrument in her classroom, but in her free time she was an exceptionally wonderful decorative painter. Her friends and family can attest to that with their multiple adored possessions. She attended a weekly intimate “art class” at a friend’s house for many years and occasionally travelled to New England Traditions painting conventions.. Her artwork was featured in Connecticut’s Old State House and New Britain Museum of American Art gift shops, and was chosen for display on a White House Christmas tree. She was a member of Connecticut Yankee Painters and The National Society of Decorative Painters.

Janet (daughter/wife/Mom/Mimi), above all else, treasured her family. Over the years, annual trips to Rockport (MA), Bermuda and Cape Cod hold wonderful memories that will forever live in our hearts. Extended family holiday gatherings will not be the same without her.

In addition to her husband Armond, she is survived by a daughter Vanessa Barneschi and grandson Tatum, and by a son Damian Barneschi, his wife Rebecca Schauer, grandson Luca and granddaughter Ramona who is on the way. The grandchildren always brought an extra sparkle to her eye. She was predeceased by her father Raymond just prior to her 16th birthday and by her mother Nellie Semnowski who lived a beautiful full life until the age of 91.

The family would like to thank the kind and compassionate staff of N3 at The Hospital of Central Connecticut for the nearly 100 days that she fought to keep her feet planted on this earth with her family by her side. She was a loyal donor to numerous charities. The family will be looking into the placement of a memorial (possibly a bench) at Chamberlain Elementary School where her heart touched so many lives.

We miss her so very much, but we will continue to keep her in our hearts. As she would always say or even write on the bottom of art pieces or in cards, “Be well, be blessed, be kind” and “Love you forever”. We love you forever, too.

Relatives and friends may call at New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain on Friday, March 28 from 3-6pm. Janet’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 9am at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30am at St. Mary Church (St. Joachim Parish) 544 Main St., New Britain. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.