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Update on 3/4/2023: Jennifer's Celebration of Life
Date: 1 April 2023
Where: VFW Post 4903 at 5320 E Bellevue
Time: 1 - 5 PM
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JENNIFER BARNETT OBITUARY
Born to Ken Wagner and Corinne Wagner (Miller), Jennifer was born in Superior AZ in 1951, but grew up and spent most of her life in Tucson. After graduating from Palo Verde HS, Jennifer forewent college and followed her father's career path, becoming a Banker, and starting out at Great Western Savings and Loan. Throughout the years, she worked for several banking institutions (for various reasons) and eventually retired from National Bank of Arizona a few years ago. Jennifer was also involved in several community service organizations throughout the years, along with her former husband (George Barnett), the Uptown Optimist Club of Tucson being the primary organization. She was also heavily involved in her children's sporting activities while they were growing up and was often remarked upon how vocally supportive she would be. She spent her retirement fairly active, serving as the president of her HOA, as an on-call crisis management support member, helping to take care of others in need, and by helping to raise her grandson Rydin. A very giving person, Jennifer never met someone who would stay a stranger for long, and she always made sure that everybody had a place to spend the holidays, often welcoming newly met individuals to eat at the family table on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Unfortunately, we lost Jennifer to a hard-fought battle with cancer on February 24th of this year. She is survived by her children Brad and Brian; and her grandchildren Justice, Katherine, and Rydin. Jennifer chose to be cremated, so there will be no burial nor viewing ceremony. We will be holding a celebration of life ceremony for her instead. It will be at VFW Post 4903, located at 5320 E Bellevue St, in Tucson on April 1st (yes, April 1st) from 1-5pm. Anybody who she called friends, are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you all there and hearing your stories.
Published by Arizona Daily Star from Mar. 24 to Mar. 26, 2023.
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Debi Dupuy
Jennifer and I met in our junior year. We had some silly teenage girl times, cruising Speedway. I moved out of state right after graduation and we lost track of each other. We reconnected at our 40th class reunion and have met for lunch every few months since then. Jen was one of the strongest people I have ever known, and that strength got her through the worse news anyone could get. I was with her the day she got the cancer diagnosis. As the doctor gave her the options, she held my hand but never got emotional. She already knew in her heart what was to come for her. The following weeks she held onto her composure and dignity and strength. She got to see the people closest to her and I thank the other women that sat with her day to day (not an easy thing for any of us). Her laughter and her wicked sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her. She was blessed with 2 sons and 2 grandchildren, the most important people in her life.
Debbie Nowocin (Cole)
My dear friend, Jennifer Wagner Barnett, passed away this morning. (February 24, 2023)
We were best friends from 5th grade on. We grew up together, we skipped on the sidewalks on the way home from school, we polka'd around my parents dining room table to Judy Garland, we shared all our secrets, our problems, we made plans for what we wanted to do in our lives. We planned to be sitting on a porch rocking our later years away together. She was my friend I could always count on to be there for me, and not judge me, for almost 62 years. Jennifer left way too early.
She is survived by her 2 sons, Brad and Brian. They will advise when/if they have a Celebration of LIfe for her and I will post that, along with any obituary they might publish.
Debbie Nowocin Cole
John Graham
I want to thank you for this post. I am so sorry to see her leave us unless of course hte pain was just too great. I let Less Gin who sused to be maybe Bank President of Great Western and belive it or not lives in little tiny Idyllwild Ca, wher JoAnn and I have our business. He is a fellow Rotarian. I do not know if he knew her, but if he did he can at least show his respect.