Mary Ann (Vincent) Barnett

Mary Ann (Vincent) Barnett (11/36 - 7/24)

"I love my family; I love my life." Mary Ann (Vincent) Barnett

It is with deep sadness that our family announces the passing of Mary Ann (Vincent) Barnett, our beloved Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunt and the heartbeat of our family. Mary Ann departed on 7/16/24 at the age of 87, for what she referred to as, "The Great Mystery of the Universe". As a Microbiologist, Teacher, Poet and Musician, Mary Ann lived a life of abundant creativity and delight.

Born and raised at the base of Larue Pine Hills, outside the town of Wolf Lake, Illinois, Mary Ann was the youngest of four children. Always grateful for the love and support of her family, she adored her older brothers - John, Wayne and Billy Vincent - and her loving parents - Gertrude Clark (Rosenthal) Vincent and John Wayne "Peggy" Vincent.

Mary Ann and her husband Virgil Barnett (1928-2004), met while attending graduate school at SIUC. Upon the presentation of her Master's research during a Chicago Science Symposium in 1960, Mary Ann was offered a researcher position with the CDC, based on her cutting-edge research concerning the role of bacteriophage within the human cell. Mary Ann's research thesis was recently selected for SIUC's Special Collections at Morris Library.

Mary Ann and her husband Virgil shared the joy and pride of raising their three children: Leigh A. Wolf-Barnett of Makanda IL, Scott P. Barnett of Elkriver Mn, Smauel T. Barnett of Southern IL., and having their lineage continue with their beloved Grandchildren: Vincent C. Sadowski of Carterville IL. Jason Wolf-Miller of L.A. CA, Tyler Barnett of St. Paul MN and their wonderous Great Grandchildren: Lucy Leigh Sadowski, Audrey Roxanne Sadowski and Logan Edward Pierce, all of Carterville IL and Patrik Barnett of St. Paul MN.

Mary Ann and Virgil lived a life of joyful exploration which took them from Graduate School at SIUC where they met, to Evanston Illinois where Mary Ann worked as a Bacteriologist while Virgil completed his City Management Internship and where their first child, Leigh Ann was born. Eventually they moved back to Southern Illinois where Mary Ann and Virgil worked as teachers in the local school systems and where they designed and constructed their dream house. Eventually Mary Ann and Virgil moved to Dillingham Alaska where Mary Ann initiated and designed a Middel School and Gifted Program, for which she was selected honored as Teacher of the year of Alaska.

Once retired, Mary Ann and Virgil returned to their home in Southern Illinois. During these later years, Mary Ann published her book of poetry, The Invisible Girl Dresses Herself, enjoyed playing music at local wineries, loved spending time with her Grandchildren and eventually returned to teaching, part time Chemistry and Physics at Dongola Highschool. Mary Ann also enjoyed initiating a robotics program for the Highschool students, connecting them with SIUC's Engineering Department.

Mary Ann will be remembered always by her family, friends and students for her generous caring heart, her love for learning, her inherent artfulness and her indelible sense of exploration.