HELEN BARNETT

Helen W. Barnett

Helen W. Barnett joined her beloved husband of 64 years, Robert "Bob" Everett, on Thursday, May 12, 2005, after a short illness.

Born March 8, 1918 in Columbus, OH to Rudolf Wittman and Selma Reich Wittman, Helen worked as an executive secretary until her marriage in 1940. Bob was a captain in the U.S. Army, so Helen moved around the country with his military assignments, fulfilling the many social and volunteer obligations as an officer's wife. After they resumed civilian life, Bob pursued his career as a chemist, and they lived in several states while raising thier 3 children, Diana, David and Edward. Giving priority to her functions as wife, mother and manager of the household, Helen worked outside the home as well, keeping her secretarial skills up to date in several different jobs. She also started her own business, having designed decals for children's funriture that were sold in variety stores. Her creativity extended to learning to paint, and she studied for a time with area artist, Edward Loper. Interwoven throughout these activies was the other big love of Helen's life, music. She learned to play the violin as a child and was part of an all girl orchestra in high school. Her first important purchase as a teenager was a concert quality violin, which she cherished and played until the last days of her life. Once her children stopped asking for nursery songs whenever she opened the case, Helen resumed playing violin in various community orchestras and for local stage musical productions. On retirement, Bob started a chemical sales business in their home, for which Helen managed the accounts and the office. Many mornings, however, their family room was filled with sounds of strinq quartet and quintet music. Helen organized various combinations of active and retired local musicians to enable them all to pursue their love of playing music together. After Bob died and she moved to a retirement apartments, she continued to host and play with musical friends until shortly before her own death. Helen's love of music and art brought culture, warmth and joy to her family and friends, all of whom feel the lose of this woman of valor. Always a caring parent, she was a constant source of guidance and a patient advisor. Later in life she exemplified the values and ideals that made her the perfect mother through the love she gave her grandchildren.

She is survived by David and Rita Barnett, and their children, Carmen and Jeffrey, of Cincinnati and Columbus, OH, Diana Barnett and Ted Haiman of Long Island, NY, Diana's son, Jeremy Wientrabus and his wife, Ermina Karim, of CA and Edward and Janet Barnett and their children, Judith and Zachary, of Wilmington, DE.

Friends are invited to join her family in a celebration of Helen's life 2-4 pm on Saturday, May 28, at Forwood Manor, 1912 Marsh Rd., Wilmington.

For anyone wishing to make a contribution in her memory, the family suggests the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 100 W. 10th St., #1103, Wilmington, DE 19801; or to the Youth and Adult Choir Fund, Congregation Beth Emeth, 300 W. Lea Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19802. Arrangements by

SCHOENBERG

MEMORIAL CHAPEL