Jacqueline Lee Barnett

Jacqueline Lee Barnett

August 22, 2022

VISITATION: THURSDAY, September 1, 2022 from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel. FUNERAL: SATURDAY, September 3rd at 10am at Lord of Love Lutheran Church, 10405 Fort St. in Omaha.  Interment: Hardin Township Cemetery, 19369 280th Street, McClelland, Iowa 51548.

To view a live broadcast of the Funeral, please visit

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It is with great sorrow that the family of Jacqueline Lee Barnett, of Omaha, announce her passing on Monday, August 22, 2022, at the age of 73. Jackie will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Paul; children, Rebecca (Michael), Jeffrey (Caire) and Bryan (Elizabeth); and grandchildren, Adam, Paige, Alex, Tyler, Claire, and Adalynn; siblings Becky and Rick; nieces Alysson, Melyssa, Kayla and nephew Kendrick;  and many friends and family who have loved her throughout her life.

Jackie was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on April 1, 1949 to a career Air Force Officer.  She was the oldest of three children.  She took her big sister role seriously; ever the protector of her sister, Becky and her brother, Rick.  She lived all over the world, graduating high school in Japan in 1967.  Her family ultimately ended up at Offutt Air Force Base which is how she and her siblings started their adult lives in Omaha.

She completed nursing school in 1971.     After a brief stint on a cardiac unit, she settled into psychiatric nursing, which is where she found her calling.  She was the hands of Jesus as she cared for her patients.  It was here that she met her lifelong friends that tended to her and were by her side right up until the very end: Louise and Deb.  They poured their love into her as true and loyal friends.  We should all be so lucky as to have a Louise and Deb in our lives. 

She married the love of her life, Paul, in 1977.   The story of their engagement is one legends are made of… evidently he never proposed to her.  Not one to be deterred, however, she just kept setting new wedding dates.  Eventually a date stuck:  January 1, 1977 and they were married.  Her four year old daughter, Becki, repeatedly stated, “Mom and I are getting married today!”

Jackie loved her family deeply.  She once told her daughter about a dream she had that told her she could have a big career or she could have two blond haired boys.  Shortly thereafter she had her two blond boys!   Her family was complete with one daughter and two sons.  As she became a grandmother she was insistent that she was definitely not “grandmotherly.”  And with the birth of her oldest grandchild she declared she was Nana.  She smiled upon her grandchildren with pride.  She loved to hear their stories and attend their events. 

She always loved to travel. Retirement, however, brought about a surprise love of the outdoors and camping!  She and Paul bought their first camper and took full advantage of the joys of travel during a new Covid era, eventually upgrading to a bigger rig with all the bells and whistles.  She was able to combine her love of books and reading with the stillness of nature and camping in the last few years. 

Jackie had a sweet and tender spirit.  Her inner circle was small, and boy was she eternally kind and loving to her people.  She spent her life always slow to judge others and loyal to her loved ones.  What can we learn from her even today?  Patience, kindness, and how to be more tender to others.  She spent her life and career being the hands and feet of Jesus, tending to others always.  That’s her legacy.  We owe it to her to spread that love around and look for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others, in her honor. She will be greatly missed.

 

4 Comments

  • Debbie Carpenter Posted August 31, 2022 5:53 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of Jackie’s passing. Prayers for all of the family. I pray for your peace and comfort, knowing no words are enough to express how I feel. Love to you all.

  • Mark Feroglia Posted September 1, 2022 2:51 pm

    So sorry to hear of Jackie’s passing.

  • Paul Rettinger Posted September 2, 2022 7:28 am

    Jackie and Paul came to visit a couple years ago. They parked their RV on the property and Jackie and I visited about our time at Chofu. We were both in the class of 1967.. I am so grateful that I was able to spend time with her.
    Rest in peace Jackie.

  • Shirley Lindaas Posted September 3, 2022 12:12 pm

    Jackie will be missed by so many😢
    My heart goes out to your family.

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