Marilyn Barrett (November 16, 1926 - May 23, 2017)

Marilyn Barrett, age 90, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at her home. Marilyn was born November 16, 1926, in Maryville, Missouri. She was the third child of Dale Lincoln Partridge and Roxie Edith McGinness Partridge. Her siblings included Robert D. Partridge; Marjorie E. Partridge, and youngest brother, Don Dale Partridge, all of whom are deceased.

   Marilyn is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Barrett, with 70 years in marriage; daughters Elinor Lea Barrett (Columbia, MO), Susan Barrett Meadows (Boonville, MO), and son, James David Barrett and his wife, Karen Moody Barrett (Springfield, MO). Also surviving are her grandson, Blake Barrett Campbell (Colorado Springs, CO), and granddaughter, Amy Barrett (Oxford, MS). She is also survived by Richard Barrett, who is Bob’s twin brother and many nieces and nephews who were dear to her.

   Marilyn attended rural school in Nodaway County, and she enjoyed telling the stories of riding her pony to get to school each day. In order to attend Maryville High School, she moved from the country and lived with one of her aunts. Growing up during an era when going on to college was not always possible, Marilyn was fortunate to continue her education at Northwest Missouri State Teachers College (Maryville, MO), and during her college years she was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority. She graduated with honors in 1948 with a B.S. in Vocational Home Economics. She was introduced by her future mother-in-law to her future husband, Robert, at a church social the day he returned home from World War II. She married him following graduation. She and Bob obtained their teaching positions in King City, MO and began their working careers.

   Marilyn and Bob moved to Kirksville, MO in 1955. Marilyn was a homemaker, raised her children, was active in PTA, Methodist Church, Girl Scouts, Order of the Eastern Star, and Jobs Daughters. She was an active member of Chapter IG – PEO. She made life-long friendships through this organization, and loved the philanthropy of this Sisterhood. Marilyn later served as President of State Chapter – Missouri, PEO. She had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the state visiting local PEO chapters and providing leadership to further the PEO vision of supporting women’s education.

   Marilyn had a great capacity for homemaking skills and organization. She ran an efficient household and was practiced in the art of economic principle—at one point, to save money for her children’s college funds, she decided to provide room and board to college girls attending Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. Additionally, she was the Food Service Supervisor at Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital, and was also in charge of food service at a large Girl Scout camp in Troy, Mo. Marilyn was an avid seamstress and quilter. She loved flowers and her gardens, and took great delight in canning and freezing produce from her garden. She was renowned for her salsa and Sunday dinners. Her family, friends, cats, PEO sisters, and reading are what gave her great joy in life.

   Visitation will be at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Kirksville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Missouri PEO Outreach Fund, or the Missouri Cottey Scholarship Fund, or First United Methodist Church of Kirksville.