Mary Brennan Barrett

Mary Brennan Barrett, 91, of Elmhurst, formerly of Prescott Avenue, Scranton, died Saturday at St. Mary's Villa Nursing Home, Moscow. She was the wife of Eugene P. "Moono" Barrett, who died in 1991.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Owen and Lucy May Brennan. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and professed a deep love and devotion for her Roman Catholic faith.

Mary graduated from Holy Rosary High School and earned a Bachelor of Science from Marywood College in 1941. She also held teaching certificates in elementary, secondary and business education. When time allowed her to be away from her seven children, which was not too often, she thoroughly enjoyed substitute teaching in the greater Scranton area. Mary also furthered her education, taking graduate-school courses at her beloved Marywood, and she spent time as president of the Marywood Alumnae Association.

During World War II, she was employed by the War Department in various positions at Fort Benning, Ga.; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. While working for the War Department in Washington, she also held a part-time position at The Washington Post. Mary did her part as one of the "greatest generation" while her husband, Eugene, was fighting the war in Sicily, Germany and France. He was wounded on three occasions.

After the war, Mary and Eugene had seven children. She selflessly put aside her formal education and was a stay-at-home mom who was totally devoted to raising her children. By the time this avocation was complete, it was too late in her life to fully take advantage of her formal schooling. Regardless, she was bright and witty and, on some occasions, could be somewhat defiant with those around her. When you saw this coming, you needed to have enough sense to get out of harm's way.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff at St. Mary's Villa who gave her excellent care and attention for six years.

Surviving are six children, Karen B. McIntyre, Scranton; Eugene P. Barrett Jr. and wife, Sally, Scranton; Thomas M. Barrett and wife, Tina, Elmhurst; Elaine B. Kosar and husband, Nicholas, Long Beach Island, N.J.; attorney Patrick T. Barrett and wife, Paula, Maidencreek Twp.; and Michael F. Barrett and wife, Margaret, Harrisburg; two sisters, Lucille Flaherty, Scranton; and Patricia Rogers, Hixson, Tenn.; 11 grandchildren, Corey McIntyre, Ryan Barrett, Lindsay Barrett, Robin Boynosky, Kristopher Boynosky, Nicole Kosar, Jennifer Barrett, Patrick Barrett, Tara Carl, Alison Barrett and Elizabeth Barrett; and a great-grandson, Alexander Carl.

She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Barrett, in 1969; a sister, Ann Curtin; and a brother, Eugene Brennan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave., Scranton. All those attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church.

Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Vanston & James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton. Interment, private in Cathedral Cemetery.