Bertha "Jean" Barnett

1928 - 2025

Bertha "Jean" (Kennedy) Barnett, age 97, of Brookville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor in Brookville.

Jean, as she liked to be called, was born on April 18, 1928, to the late E.A. and Bertha Mae (Blose) Kennedy at their homestead located in Grange.

Jean was extremely proud of growing up in an era where she attended "The Moser" one-room schoolhouse for her earlier years of schooling, before graduating from Punxsutawney High School in 1947.

After completing her education, she worked at the Brookville Sylvania Plant and then the Brookville Glove Factory for over 12 years as a dispatcher before retiring. Frequently in conversations, Jean would recall fond memories of working alongside her friends and fellow coworkers at Brookville Glove.

Over the years, she provided housekeeping services for local clients and babysat neighborhood children.

Jean married Gerald W. Barnett on September 16, 1949. They spent over 62 blissful years together until his passing in March of 2012.

Jean was a longstanding member of the Stanton United Methodist Church in Stanton. Her unwavering faith in God and the teachings of the Bible, as well as her strong advocacy of reading and studying, helped her navigate through some of the most challenging periods of her life. Jean was a blessed 45-year-plus cancer survivor.

She was known for never sitting still and maintained a busy lifestyle through quilting, baking pies and cookies, as well as tending to her yard. She took immense pride in her immaculate garden, and every year hoped to grow the most tomatoes for her daily summer "domato sandwich."

She was a former member of the Brookville VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include one son, Thomas Eugene (Carrie) Barnett of Meadville; two granddaughters, Ashley Nicole (Charles) McDonald of Meadville, Courtney Marie Barnett of Meadville; and two great-grandchildren, Azlynne and Aven McDonald.

In addition to her parents and husband Gerald, Jean was preceded in death by one son, William Ray Barnett; two brothers, Samuel (Jane) Kennedy, Edward Lyle (Frances) Kennedy; six sisters, Margaret (John) Elkin, Nellie Louise (Ralph) Cook, Annabelle (Pete) Grove, Twila Mae (Chuck) LaFord, June (Raymond) Miller and Lorraine (Wayne) Bullers; along with all of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

We would like to acknowledge the teams of both Penn Highlands Nursing and Hospice care through my mother's peaceful days on this earth.

The family will receive friends for visitation from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at the Carrier Funeral Home, located at 2834 Maplevale Road in Brookville.

A funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Thomas Verner officiating.

Interment will take place privately at St. John's (Windy Hill) Cemetery in Rose Township, Jefferson County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jean's name to the Stanton Community Church, 628 Stanton Road, Brookville, PA 15825.

Visit www.carrierfh.com to find more information or place online condolences.