Jean Ellen Barney

Born January 3, 1963 in Martinsburg, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Mary Brichner Barney.

Jean was the youngest of five children and is survived by two sisters: Martha Beard and husband, Todd of Michigan, and Mary “Peachy” Staley (her guardian) and husband, Jim of Shepherdstown; two brothers: Homer Thomas Barney and wife, Madeline of Falling Waters, and Mike Barney of Martinsburg; several nieces and nephews; two great-nieces; and two great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant sister, Virginia Carol.

Jean attended Pikeside Special Education Center and worked for over 30 years at the Eastern Panhandle Training Center.

She was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church.

After her mother’s passing in 1994, Jean went to live with her sister Peachy and family, Jim, Elizabeth, and Catherine. While there, she flourished in living in her own “apartment” and enjoyed life on the farm. She was a vibrant part of everyday life for her nieces, “Lizbeth” and “Cat.”

In 2006 she moved to the Gaila Group Home where she quickly adopted her roommates, Lisa and Gail, as her new family. Jean loved her friends there and was skillfully cared for by the REM staff. She was cherished by her many caregivers, especially Glenda, Darlene, Linda, Pat, Bobbi, Dana, Jessica, Bev, Rachel, and Heather.

While at the workshop, Jean earned several awards for her production skills in bench work assembly. She looked forward to every day that she could work and see her friends.

In addition, Jean lived for Special Olympics, dancing, her country music, puzzles, shopping, and visiting with her friends and family. She loved life and embraced every day with a smile. Jean was an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her sweet, kind, loving personality and her little colorful hats that were her signature.

Friends will be received on Friday October 21, 2016 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 200 South Duke Street, Shepherdstown, WV, from 7-9pm with a Christian Wake at 8pm.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday October 22, 2016 at 10:30 at the church. Private inurnment will be in Rosedale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Drive, Kearneysville, WV 25430; St. Agnes Catholic Church, PO Box 1603, Shepherdstown, WV 25443; and Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH) c/o Shepherd University Foundation, PO Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Condolences may be sent to www.rosedalefuneral.com