Mary Barrett

Mary M. Barrett

Age 97 of Campbell, California and formerly of Coal City, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California.

Born May 21, 1919 in Coal City, Mary was a daughter of Charles and Jennie Bonino Jachino Redmond. She was raised in Coal City; graduated class Salutatorian of Coal City High School; attended Northern Illinois University, and earned her Certificate in Piano at the Joliet Musical College. In 1946, Mary married Wendell B. Barrett in Coal City. As a wife and mother, Mary managed the childhood personal assistance for her disabled daughter Anne, who now is a Kellogg Fellow and retired university Professor and Dean of Science.

Mary taught piano in Coal City for several years and her employment went on to entail working as a secretary in the Department of Pathology at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet (1970-1972); secretary at DeMert & Dougherty in Coal City (1972-1973); secretary to the Principal and secretary to the Counselor at Coal City High School (1973-1984); forms analyst at CUNA (Credit Union National Association) in Madison, Wisconsin (1984-1986) and working in retail as a sales associate for Marshall Fields in Joliet and later Marga's Boutique in Santa Rosa, California (1986-2000).

Mary was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City most of her life. Most recently since 2004 she belonged to St. Christopher's Catholic Church in San Jose, California, and she was active with the San Jose Widow and Widowers Group. Mary enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, reading mysteries, and going to lunch, and will be remembered for rescuing and caring for adopted cats.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law: Anne Louise and David K. Swanson of Campbell, California; niece Mary Janice (Jachino) Jackson of Cumming, Georgia; nephew Burdett "Bud" (Carolyn) Barrett of Rye, New Hampshire; grandnieces Cyndi (of New Hampshire) and Diane (of Oregon); niece Cynthia Barrett Faulhaber of Florida, grandniece Greta and grandnephew Karl; grandniece Nancy Joan (William) Lyday of Coal City; grandnephews: Paul (Lynn) Jackson and Todd Jackson, both of Cumming, Georgia, and several great-grandnieces and great-grandnephew, as well as many loyal friends in Coal City, Campbell and San Jose.

The family extends special gratitude to Mary’s wonderful home caregivers from Senior Care Connection of San Jose, California.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Charles and Jennie Redmond; husband Wendell B. Barrett; brothers and sisters-in-law: John and Frances Jachino, Paul and Jessie Redmond, and brother-in-law Everett (Millie) Barrett; niece Joan (Frank) Greene and several beloved rescued cats, including GrayBoy and Snowball.

The family will receive friends for visitation and video tribute at St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until time of funeral service 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Robert Noesen from Assumption Parish in Coal City officiating.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington, where Mary will be laid to rest with her late husband Wendell.

A memorial service will be held in the Campbell/San Jose area at a later date.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Mary's memory to an animal rescue organization, animal shelter, local food pantry or charity of the donor's choosing.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Mary's memorial page on social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)