Janet Barnes

After a life of love and service, Janet Gordon Barnes passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025 in the Sterling Court Extended Care Community, St. George, Utah at age 94.

Born on April 17, 1931 in Santa Barbara, California to Lynn and Grace Inez Lamph Gordon. Janet graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1948. She received her bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education from Brigham Young University in 1953. She married Howard W. Barnes on November 22, 1957, in the Los Angeles temple.

Her first professional love was teaching children, especially the fifth grade. She was always grateful for having taught five years in Santa Barbara and San Diego. Janet’s other passion was volunteer service where she served extended periods in Provo, Utah (Head Start program and PTA) as well as Germany; China; Egypt; India; Lithuania; Poland and South Africa. She accompanied her husband, Howard in their service work abroad. She could always find satisfying service opportunities simply by knocking on doors. Perhaps her most fulfilling experience was working with the Missionaries of Charity at a Mother Teresa Home for the Dying and Destitute in Darjeeling, India as well as homes for orphaned and abandoned children in other countries.

Janet is survived by her devoted husband, and her three sons Stephen (Hege) in Oslo, Norway; Warren (Kathryn) in Winnipeg, Canada; Keith (Nina) in St. George, Utah; together with twelve grandchildren and sixteen greatgrandchildren. Janet’s service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included teaching and piano playing in Primary and Relief Society.

Janet will be remembered lovingly by her children and grandchildren for always making them feel special and cared for. She taught them to love reading, to cherish the gospel, and to seek joy, one of her favorite words. Her late-night pizza and Uno parties will be treasured memories.

Special gratitude is extended to the nurses and staff at the Sterling Court Extended Care Community for their special care and affection during her residency.