Nancy Barnes

Nancy P. Barnes, 88, passed away in Newbury, Ohio, on February 27, 2024, after a brief illness. She is survived by her daughters Sarah B. Harris (Rem Harris) of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Rebecca A. Barnes (Clay Middleton) of Atlanta, Georgia, her grandchildren Katie Harris, Allie Butchello (Travis Butchello), Locke Middleton (Ben Smith), Mara Middleton, and William Middleton, and her nieces and nephew. Nancy is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, William ("Bill") G. Barnes, her brother, Robert Pearson, and her parents, Arthur and Dorothy Pearson.

Nancy grew up in Yonkers, New York. She shared fond memories of trips to Jones Beach, the grounds of Untermyer Park, and her grandmother Prudence's farm, where she found comfort in her grandmother's lap and the peace of the farm after her mother's death. She nurtured a passion for movies and art, accompanying her father and brother to many a Saturday matinee and spending countless hours throughout her childhood listening to popular radio programs while drawing.

Nancy graduated from Groton High School in 1953 and went on to earn a B.F.A. from Syracuse University. She began a career in graphic design in New York working for Norcross and Lever Brothers. In the early sixties, a cross country move to California confirmed what would become a lifelong love for the San Francisco Bay Area and the handsome Navy veteran, Bill, who lived next door to her first west coast apartment. Nancy continued to work in graphic design, making lasting friends along the way, while she and Bill raised their two daughters in the Bay Area. Years later, with age and decline, Nancy and Bill moved to Atlanta to be near their daughter, Rebecca, and her family. When Bill passed away in 2015, Nancy moved to Ohio where she lived in assisted living not far from Sarah.

No matter where she lived, Nancy's creative spirit found ways to manifest via her surroundings. From elaborate Halloween costumes early on for her girls, to artistic contributions and logo designs for school fundraisers, to custom designed blankets and sweaters for her grandchildren, Nancy invested her considerable talents in those people and places she cared for most. In her later years in assisted living, she participated in group classes and her eye for color always captured everyone's attention. Many a time, no one would begin their project without seeing what Nancy reached for first. What color, what instrument, what medium. Under the guidance and encouragement from the incredibly generous staff at Ohman Family Living at Holly Hill where Nancy lived, her work was just recently featured in her own art show. The centerpiece was an original charcoal portrait that she completed in high school which cemented her decision to pursue an art career.

With deep gratitude to Ohman Family Living at Holly Hill for the compassion and care they gave Nancy and the support they provided her family, Nancy will be missed for her beautiful art, her unique opinions, her sense of humor, her sparkly nails, her French phrases, her stories about New York, and above all, her love for her family.

Interment to be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you are moved, please make a donation to a favorite charity in memory of Nancy.