Jean Ellen Barney

Jean Ellen Barney, “Beanie,” “Jean Bean,” “BB,” 53, passed away Oct. 6, 2016.

Born Jan. 3, 1963, in Martinsburg, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Mary Brichner Barney.

Jean was the youngest of five children, and is survived by two sisters, Martha Beard and husband, Todd, of Michigan, and Mary “Peachy” Staley (her guardian) and husband, Jim, of Shepherdstown; two brothers, Homer Thomas Barney and wife, Madeline, of Falling Waters, and Mike Barney of Martinsburg; several nieces and nephews; two great-nieces; and two great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant sister, Virginia Carol.

Jean attended Pikeside Special Education Center, and worked for more than 30 years at the Eastern Panhandle Training Center.

She was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church. After her mother’s passing in 1994, Jean went to live with her sister, Peachy, and family, Jim, Elizabeth and Catherine. While there, she flourished in living in her own “apartment,” and enjoyed life on the farm. She was a vibrant part of everyday life for her nieces, “Lizbeth” and “Cat.”

In 2006, she moved to the Gaila Group Home, where she quickly adopted her roommates, Lisa and Gail, as her new family. Jean loved her friends there and was skillfully cared for by the REM staff. She was cherished by her many caregivers, especially Glenda, Darlene, Linda, Pat, Bobbi, Dana, Jessica, Bev, Rachel and Heather.

While at the workshop, Jean earned several awards for her production skills in bench work assembly. She looked forward to every day that she could work and see her friends.

In addition, Jean lived for Special Olympics, dancing, her country music, puzzles, shopping and visiting with her friends and family. She loved life and embraced every day with a smile. Jean was an inspiration to all who knew her. She will be remembered for her sweet, kind, loving personality, and her little colorful hats that were her signature.

Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 200 South Duke Street, Shepherdstown, with a Christian Wake at 8 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the church. Private inurnment will be in Rosedale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Drive, Kearneysville, WV 25430; St. Agnes Catholic Church, PO Box 1603, Shepherdstown, WV 25443; and Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH) c/o Shepherd University Foundation, PO Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

Condolences may be sent to www.rosedalefuneral.com.