Barbara Barnes Obituary

After a six month battle with cancer, Barbara Barnes, 67, of Durango, Colorado, left us peacefully on Friday, January 21, 2022, while surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born on September 13, 1954, in Casper, Wyoming to Elmer and Julia Irwin. She spent most of her childhood in the Durango area but graduated from Evergreen High School in 1972. After graduation, she attended Adam State College before returning to Durango. She was employed at the local TG&Y, Durango School District Food Service, and Ignacio School District Food Service which she retired from in 2007.

She married the love of her life, Johnny Barnes in 1976 and settled on the family ranch. She enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and was very committed to everything her daughters pursued such as 4-H, DHS Band, school activities and Girl Scouts. In her later years she loved participating in Catholic Daughters of America, St. Columba Catholic Church and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She enjoyed baking pies, canning, and crafting and after retirement her passion became babysitting the grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Janie McLaughlin, brother-in-laws Roy McLaughlin, Ken Thurston, Butch Melton, and niece Rachel Corley, and longtime friend Frankie Bellino.

She is survived by her daughters Donna Barnes and Sandy (Larry) Gurule; grandchildren Logan and Bradin Gurule; siblings Helen Thurston and Ed (Kimberly) Irwin; sister-in-law Dixie Melton, close family friends Trista (Brad) Pontine, Tierney (Chauncey) Ewing, Trevor Bellino, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be recited on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 6pm at St. Columba Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will also be held at St. Columba Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 10am with burial to follow Mass at Greenmount Cemetery. The service will be live streamed at hoodmortuary.com and masks will be required for services. The family is planning an open house for a reception at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial contribution in Barbara and/or Johnny's name to: St. Columba School, Catholic Daughters of America, La Plata County 4-H, or any charity of your choosing.