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BORN
1946
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
Barbara Hartnett Obituary
She was born to Matthew and Mary Witczak on Dec. 5, 1946 in Cicero, Ill. She graduated from St. Mary of Czestochowa grade school and then Nazareth Academy. She earned college degrees from the U. of Illinois (B.S.), Illinois State U. (M.S.) and Northern Illinois U. (Ed.D).
She met her future husband, Mike Hartnett, in high school in 1963. They married the day after graduating from Illinois in 1968. She taught Psychology for many years, at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL, rising to the rank of full professor. She later took early retirement and eventually became Executive Director of Friendship House of Christian Service, a social agency in Peoria, IL.
Barbara and Mike retired and moved to Lawrence in 2013. She then served on the board of directors for 10,000 Villages and Altrusa.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 am Tues. May 4, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home and live-streamed on the Rumsey-Yost Facebook page.
Contributions can be made to the Altrusa Foundation sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Barbara Hartnett
4 Entries
Cecelia Tomaszkiewicz
May 4, 2021
Out of 14 cousins, Barbara and I were the closest in age. We also both attended Nazareth Academy for High School. i can never recall a time during any family gathering where Barbara and I wereM not together. Most of the time we were joking, laughing so hard. She had a wicked sense of humor which I tried to keep up with. She was just a wonderful, adorable person to know and be with. I will always remember her.
Missy Salata
May 2, 2021
Barb was a wonderful person, great teacher, and mentor. I met her in my first year of college at Illinois Central College in Peoria, IL. A non-traditional student, starting college when my youngest son was 8 years old, I had no confidence and was intimidated by the hustle and bustle of college life. Barb became my beacon. She shared her light and encouraged me through those two years of community college and beyond. After I finished my education and began working in the area, we served on a few Boards of Directors together, and loosely stayed in touch. I cannot overstate the impact Barb had on my life and the lives of so many other students over the years. She was a tremendous person, leaving a lasting legacy in the lives of the many people she taught or helped throughout her career. My thoughts and prayers are with her family today and into the future.
Ryan Alwood
May 2, 2021
Barb was a wonderful person who I feel fortunate to have gotten to know at the friendship house. She made such an impact on so many.
Lee Hanson
April 30, 2021
I had Barb Hartnett as my Psych professor!!
She was a FABULOUS instructor!!
Then later when I was working as a RDH for Dr. Brad Essig DDS she and her husband Mike
came to our office!
She was such a BRIGHT light to everyone she met!
She will be missed!
Lee Hanson RDH
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
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Memorial Events
for Barbara Hartnett
May
4
Celebration of Life
10:00 a.m.
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
Funeral services provided by:
Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home & Crematory601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
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