Mary Helen Barnett

The blessing of rest came for Mary Helen Barnett upon the eve of July 7, 2025 ~ five months shy of her 103rd birthday. Born the second of eight children to sharecropper parents, Horace and Carrie Wynn Nelson, in Hancock County, Illinois. Mary’s childhood was one of challenging times and sacrifice, but her circumstances never dulled her spirit nor her lust for life. Instead, it was an impetus to create a bountiful life full of faith, family, beauty, laughter, and endless love. Constrained to quit school in the 6th grade to labor upon the farm, in support of her family, Mary, a small but mighty woman, approached everything she tasted in life, both the bitter and the sweet, resiliently. She was an excellent and efficient cook; a skill she learned as a young teen in Niota, Illinois, from her mentor and the restaurateur Miss Florie Thumb. Following in Florie’s footsteps, she, and her husband Paul opened “The Bowen Café” but the true beneficiaries of these skills were her children and grandchildren who all remember sitting at “Grandma’s Table”as if it were yesterday. Mary learned childcare by helping raise her siblings, by serving as a live-in nanny to her Aunt’s children and by working in the St. Mary’s hospital nursery, in Quincy, Illinois. Her children and grandchildren once again, were the true recipients from these experiences which began with that first swaddle of love and ~ never ended. Mary was very resourceful and determined to provide a better life for herself and her family. As a young girl, she worked in a beauty salon. She picked grapes and picked cotton. She peeled potatoes. She fried potato chips. All the while, extending her gratitude to God, for His strength and for “Being the Source for Living.” By example, her children and grandchildren and the generations to follow may very well have received her greatest gift ~ an appreciation and reverence for each and every day God gives ~ because, as she said, it is a present. During WWII, Mary worked in the Iowa Ordnance Plant in Fort Madison, Iowa. Mary poured gunpowder into bombs and built shipping crates for the ammunition. During break time, she and the other young women working as “Rosie the Riveters” sat side by side with mothers of sons serving overseas; upon one occasion, a mother displayed three photographs of her sons, asking if anyone would be interested in becoming their pen pal. Mary chose a photo and began corresponding with a young G.I. who spent 821 days in combat before an injury sent him back home. This was the man she married and shared a beautiful life with for 62 years: Paul Revere Barnett. At the age of 40, after working as a nurse's aide for years, Mary made the decision to complete her interrupted education and become a licensed practical nurse. She earned her G.E.D high-school diploma and went on to graduate with her L.P.N. degree which allowed her to work as a private-duty, hospital, and hospice nurse well into her seventies. It was her failing eyesight which compelled her into retirement, but Mary never did retire from serving others. She volunteered at a local nursing home until she was in her mid-nineties; visiting, listening, and praying to and for those she called “the old people.” She was also known to make stacks of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless in her nineties but her most noble act of compassion, courage, service, resiliency and gratitude may have been demonstrated during the last year of her life. Presented with an insurmountable situation of moving from her beloved home, Mary remained committed to finding the beauty in each day; inspiring not only her family and friends, but the residents, staff, and unbelievably kind Gentiva Hospice Team at Grand Villa; without words ~ but by her loving peaceful presence and, of course, her indelible smiles and hugs. We will say the sweet bye and bye to you, Mama, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Great-Great-Grandma, Aunt Mary, Miss Mary, Mary and Mary the Matriarch of Birchwood Trail in a private graveside service ~ knowing, as you did…we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

A note of sincere appreciation to Mom’s angel, Lee Ann, for the sacrifices she and her family made in order to guide, guard and govern Mary’s way “home.” There are no words for the peace she provided, not only to Miss Mary, but to her family as well. Never forget ~ there are angels amongst us; simply look into the eyes and hearts of Lee Ann and her sister Robin, to find proof in this.