Obituary of Betty Jean Barnes

ILION/BALLSTON SPA – Mrs. Betty J. (Hayes) Barnes, age 86, currently of Ilion and formerly a lifelong resident of Ballston Spa, passed away unexpectedly in the early hour of Sunday morning, October 29, 2017, in the privacy and comfort of her home.

Born on July 25, 1931, Betty was the daughter of the late Harold B. and Isabelle (Turton) Hayes. She was raised and educated in Ballston Spa, where she graduated from high school. On July 17, 1955, she was joined in marriage to the late George F. Barnes, who was the love of her life, and together they shared in almost sixty years of a beautiful union until Mr. Barnes’ passing on April 27, 2015.

Betty was a selfless person with a passion for taking care of others, both in the workplace and in her home. The first part of her career was spent as as a seamstress with Van Raalte's in Saratoga Springs. After her children were grown, she went back to work as a Nursing Assistant with the Wesley Healthcare Center in Saratoga Springs, tending to the needs of her patients with empathy and grace. She was a loving, nurturing and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and her strength was the glue that held together her family.

Betty was an avid reader with a fondness for dogs and held a particular love for the ocean; always enjoying her trips to Florida with her daughter and son-in-law. She was grounded in her Christian faith as a lifetime member of the Alliance Church in Ballston Spa.

She will forever be remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Jo-Anne and Kevin Murphy of Ilion; her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Kathy Barnes of Amsterdam; her grandchildren, Christopher Barnes and Nicole Barnes; and her great-grandchildren, Siara, Paloma and Joanne. She also leaves her in-laws, Marion Hayes, Marion Watson, Terrill and Andrew Curran, Valerie and Mark Dechene and Elaine and Sam Curcio; and her lifelong friend, Macia Lawrence.

Besides her parents and husband, Betty was predeceased by her son, George Barnes, Jr. and her brother, Harold Hayes, Jr.

In keeping with Betty’s wishes, her funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of her family. She will be laid to rest with her husband in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Betty’s name to Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, 61 West Street, Ilion, NY 13357.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, funeral directors of the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000.

Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.