Joan Marie Barney

BRISTOL

Joan Marie (Beger) Barney, 78, of Bristol, beloved widow of the late Gerald A. Barney, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Monday, September 29, 2025, at home. She was born in Rockville on August 26, 1947, and was the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Claire (Weeks) Beger. Joan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from CCSC, and demonstrated an early penchant for computer programming. Twenty years of Joan's career would be spent at the Bristol Hospital, where she advanced through the ranks of a male- dominated field to become the Director of Information Services. Joan pursued many self-taught passions throughout her life. The 90s were largely dedicated to Spanish immersion, culminating in a Masters degree in Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures from the University of Salamanca in 2006. Her Spanish students at DeSoto High School in Arcadia, Florida, would fondly recall her energetic chats en espaol and her homemade treats. Joan demonstrated her lifelong love of animals by volunteering at her local chapter of the Humane Society and maintaining their adoption website, helping to rehome many furry friends in need. Joan's most frequent love languages were cooking and gift giving. The consummate hostess, she often took the lead on preparing family feasts and sweet treats. She could browse a thrift store for hours, carefully considering each object's potential as a gift. Joan was also wildly creative, exploring arts as varied as sewing, cake decorating, calligraphy, mosaic tile, assemblage, and tin punching. A glance around her colorfully curated home gives an instant impression of the vibrant and interesting life she enjoyed. Joan is survived by her two daughters, Julie Marsele-Cusson of Starke, FL and Hayley Varhol of Philadelphia, PA. She was a doting Noni to Kyle Cusson and Chloe Cusson and a great-grandmother to Maximillian Cusson-Volosin. Joan is also survived by her siblings: two brothers, Gary Beger and his wife Susan of SC, David Beger and his wife Diane of NC, and sister Lori Scovin and her husband Bob of ME, nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved members of the Barney family. Joan was welcomed into the infinite by her son Joshua who passed away in 2021. Her family will hold a private memorial on Saturday. If you would like to honor Joan's memory, please consider continuing her philanthropic efforts by donating to farmlinkproject.org or earthjustice.org. Please visit Joan's memorial page at www.FunkfuneralHome.com. Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue

Ave., Bristol, CT 06010 is honored to be assisting Joan's family at this difficult time.

Joan Marie (Beger) Barney