Susan Barnett

A New Jerseyan for life, Susan was born in Newark and was a 1959 graduate of Irvington High School.

As a larger-than-life personality with a great sense of humor she surrounded herself with friends and family. Everywhere Susan went she made friends. Known for her memorable holiday dinners where all were welcome, she brought together people from all walks of life. She even rolled out the fancy silver-colored disposable dinnerware.

Susan was rarely apart from Sydney, her husband of sixty years, since she drew an ace of spades from a deck of cards on a bet in 1958.

She co-wrote the song “Once Upon a Midnight” that made the pop charts in Buffalo for at least a week. As a thespian, Susan participated in several productions during retirement. She was a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and was committed to organ donation.

Susan loved to take her grand kids to Point Pleasant and various amusement parks. With an eye to adventure, she joined her children and grandchildren on travels throughout North America and Europe. She marveled at candy in Mexico, rode the lazy river for hours, and climbed hills in France.

She is predeceased by her parents Jack and Rosalind Shapiro and her beloved son in law Sean Dukes.

Susan leaves behind her husband Sydney, her three children, David Barnett (Linda) of Las Vegas; Alyssa Barnett-Schott (Barbara) of Decatur, Georgia; and Allison Dukes of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania along with her six grandchildren Caitlin Barnett of Henderson, Nevada; Briana Barnett-Caragao (Mason) of Garden Grove, California; Cameron Dukes of New York, NY; Laurel Barnett of Las Vegas; Avery Dukes of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; and Ellery Barnett-Schott of Decatur, Georgia along with a number of life-long friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s memory to Gift of Life Family House, 401 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 or online at www.giftoflifefamilyhouse.org.