NANCY JAYN BARNES

1936 - 2022

Nancy Jayn Barnes
October 3, 1936 - May 5, 2022

Nancy Barnes, 85, of Rancho Palos Verdes, California passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband and children. She was born Nancy Jayn Wullner in Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin on October 3, 1936, to Dorothy and August Wullner. Her family moved to Whitefish Bay, WI where she grew up. Before her senior year of high school, her family moved to Arcadia, CA; she graduated in 1954.

After high school, she attended UCLA, where she studied math and music. Her to-be husband, Donald, first spotted her as she entered the Episcopal Church where he was leading a meeting as President of UCLA InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Her striking beauty captivated his attention and he thought, "She is going to be my wife." Nancy was leading a Navigator's Bible Study and Donald joined her group wanting to become acquainted.

Donald Jerome Barnes married Nancy Wullner on September 8, 1956, and they were blessed with six children: Suzanne Marin (Blee) of Highland, CA; Kathryn Jeanette (Stock) of San Pedro, CA; Elizabeth Carol (Brooks) of Mahomet, IL; Linda Michelle (Vadnais) of Scripps Ranch, CA; David James Barnes of Scripps Ranch, CA; and Dorothy Jayn (Ottolia) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Nancy is survived by her husband, six children, fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren (with two more coming in July), a sister, Kathy Wullner Thomas of Washington State, two nieces, and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Dorothy Wullner, her brother, Dale Wullner, and her sister, Janet Wullner Faiss Cloak.

Nancy's family lived in several locations as they expanded. Three children were born in San Francisco, CA, where Donald attended seminary, and Nancy became more accomplished in piano and organ. In 1961, the family moved to Seattle, Washington, where two more children were born. Nancy would sometimes play the piano or organ in the church where Donald became a minister. The World's Fair became one of the favored family outings. In 1967 the family moved to Webster Groves, a suburb in St. Louis, Missouri, where their youngest daughter was born. In St. Louis, Nancy studied music at Washington University. Nancy was the first Suzuki Piano teacher in the region, and taught as many as 35 students at a time. Nancy and Donald lived in St. Louis for fourteen years before moving to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA in 1981 where Donald was an Associate Pastor at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church for 16 years. Thereafter, Donald joined the wedding ministry team at Wayfarer's Chapel, where he worked for twenty years until 2019. While in California, Nancy achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Music from CSU Dominguez Hills in 1985 and she continued to teach piano.

Nancy often filled her home with listening pleasures as she played the music of many of the most esteemed classical piano composers. In 2002, she designed a webpage based music program called, "I READ MUSIC- The Quick and Easy Way." She had a strong interest in healthy eating and natural remedies, and as an avid reader she studied these topics in an effort to keep her family healthy. Organic produce and honey from her loving husband's garden and honey bee farm went into her delicious meals. Nancy had a savvy mind, becoming the CEO of the family honey business, helping to facilitate the distribution of elegantly designed gift bottles filled with honey to Neiman Marcus. Other enjoyments of Nancy included graphic design, editing and publishing, creating stain glass windows, sewing, birdwatching, and taking nature walks in her community.

A memorial service is scheduled at Wayfarers Chapel, 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA at 11:00 on July 12, 2022, followed by a reception around the fireside room at St. Peter's by the Sea Presbyterian Church, 6410 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA at noon.