Mary Kathryn "Mary Kay" Barbieri

1943 - 2023

Bow, Washington - Mary Kay Barbieri, 80, left this world on her own terms on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at her Bow, WA home surrounded by her family, after courageously battling an autoimmune disease that cruelly attacked her body and her mind.

Mary Kay was born on August 28, 1943, in Spokane, WA, the daughter of Louis and Kathryn (Kimmel) Barbieri. She earned a bachelor's degree from Gonzaga University in 1965. A highlight of her time in college was a year in Florence, Italy, a country she loved and returned to several times during her lifetime, always picking back up her fluency in the language.

Mary Kay married her husband, John, in 1966 and had two children, Carla and David. After working as an English teacher for several years and later at the ACLU, Mary Kay made the decision to attend law school at the University of Washington and was only the second class to enter after the school began to equally admit women to its program.

Mary Kay earned her J.D. in 1975 and went to work for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as a criminal prosecutor under Norm Maleng, where she made her mark by co-founding the Special Assault Unit, one of the first of its kind in the country, that specialized in prosecuting sexual crimes committed against adults and children. Mary Kay led the Criminal Division at the King County Prosecutor's Office before leaving to teach at the University of Puget Sound Law School in their law clinic for several years.

After her prolific career in law, Mary Kay left Seattle and moved to the country to raise llamas and run a backcountry trekking business in the North Cascades. Eventually, Mary Kay went back to school and earned her Master's in clinical psychology and ran a child and family counseling practice for many years. After retirement, Mary Kay did not slow down and served on the board of the local Planned Parenthood, volunteered for immigrant rights organizations, and was often found taking on tasks to help her community.

Mary Kay's greatest joy were her children and grandchildren, with whom she enjoyed close and loving relationships. She also loved getting together and having meals with her close group of friends ("supper club"), hiking with her dog, painting, cooking amazing meals, reading, spending time with family, volunteering for those in need and gardening at her home in Bow.

Mary Kay is survived by her two children, Carla Carlstrom and her husband Terry Carlstrom of Seattle, WA, and David Keegan, of Seattle, WA and Taichung Taiwan; her four grandchildren, Maya Keegan, Emma Carlstrom, Ian Keegan, and Maddie Carlstrom, all of Seattle, WA. She is also survived by her six siblings and their spouses, Dick Barbieri (Lyn); Don Barbieri (Sharon); Ann Bell (David), Jan McAvoy (Jim), Thomas Barbieri (Eileen), and Mark Barbieri (Heather); as well as numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Mary Kay was known for her brilliant mind, compassion, integrity, and ability to handle anything that came her way. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Mary Kay's wonderful life, which will take place in Mount Vernon, WA, on December 10th. For more details about the celebration, contact members of Mary Kay's family.