Maxine passed away peacefullyon July 5, 2025.  She was 5th of 11 children.

After graduating high school she studied at Sacred Heart Convent, Mount Marty College until 1963,  received a BA degree from College of Saint Mary in1965, continued to graduate school at Marquette University from 1965 to 1967 and received a Masters of Science in Psychology from St Cloud State University in1989.  

Maxine had a passion for helping othere in need,  She fostered 12 children.  In 1978 she helped  found the Central Minnesota Task Force on Battered Women with a mission to provide safe shelter for abused women and their children.  She would become the executive director of  a domestic violence shelter named Woman House. In 2000 Woman House was renamed Anna Marie's Alliance.  Maxine retired in 2013.

Over the years Maxine has been affiliated with a number of organizations including the National Coalition for Battered Women, Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, National Assembly for Religious Women, Housing Now, United Way of St Cloud, Pax hristi, Forum of Executive Women, St Cloud Hospital Chemical Dependency Advisory Committee and St Cloud affordable Housing Coalition. In addition Maxine had recived countless awards for her creation of a battered womens shelter. In 2012 Maxine was inducted into the Cathedral/O'Gorman Hall of fame in recognition of her excellence in service. 

Due to her many years of service, Mayor John Ellenbecker proclaimed May 25th 2004 Maxine Barnett Day to recognize her as a remarkakable St Cloud leader..  Then in 2013 Mayor Dave Kleis made Febuary 1 Maxine Barnett Day and gave her a key to the city.  In addition Anna Marie's Alliance is creating the Maxine Barnett Courtyard, a place for the kind of relazed renewal that is impossible in the midst of abuse.

Maxine is survived by her 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren and 4 siblings.