Obituary of Catherine Anne Barnett

Catherine Anne (O’Farrell) Barnett April 6, 1939- March 13, 2014 Catherine Anne (O’Farrell) Barnett was born in Portland, Oregon on April 6, 1939. Catherine spent her early childhood years in Marcola, Oregon when the family moved to her grandparents farm during the great depression. When the economy changed the family moved to Tualatin, Oregon where she graduated from Tigard High School. Catherine earned a bachelors degree in Home Economics Education at Oregon State College in 1961. Catherine enjoyed her membership in Delta Zeta Sorority at Oregon State, especially when she was president. Catherine started her teaching career in 1961 teaching Home Economics at Saint Helens High School. She left Saint Helens schools for about ten years in 1969 to work in the state department of education as a home economics specialist in addition to being the state director of Future Homemakers of America. She returned to teach as well as serve as Director of Student Activities at Saint Helens High School. She retired in 1993 to take on new projects and take care of herself. In 1963 she met Donald Barnett in Saint Helens and they were married in 1965. Catherine and Donald loved to collect antiques and built their dream home, a Victorian style home on the banks of the Columbia River in Columbia City, Oregon. Catherine loved cooking, entertaining, and spending time with friends and family. After retirement, Catherine continued to dedicate her life to children with her involvement in the Sacajawea Health Center in Saint Helens, The Saint Helens Student Foundation, and was instrumental in the startup of the Saint Helens Backpack Program which provides food for children who might otherwise go hungry over the weekend. Catherine was a loving and caring person who extended gracious hospitality to all who came to her home. All of her students remember her as one of their favorite teachers who had a beautiful smile and a very kind heart. Catherine is survived by her husband Donald Barnett of Saint Helens; her brother Adrian O’Farrell also of Saint Helens; and her aunt Olive Price of Walla Walla, Washington; and many nieces and nephews; as well as numerous close friends and neighbors. A memorial service is scheduled for April 19, 2014 at 1:00pm at the Saint Helens B.P.O.Elks Lodge 1999, 350 Belton Road, Saint Helens OR 97051. Memorial gifts can be made to the Saint Helens Student Foundation (P.O. Box 1608, Saint Helens OR 97051), Saint Helens Community Backpack Program (550 Columbia Blvd. Saint Helens OR 97051 Service Information