BRINY BREEZES — Patricia M. Barnes, the valentine of her mulitgenerational family, died Feb. 14 after a two-month illness. She was 103.
Born Tressa May Gorham on May 25, 1918, she and her twin brother, Charles, were among the eight children of Tressa and Charles Gorham of White Cloud, Michigan. Tressa grew up on the family farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade. At the age of 15 she dropped out of school, left the farm and started working as a maid and nanny in Grand Rapids.
Since the lady of the house was also named Tressa, she was asked to use another name while in their employment. She chose the name Patricia from the popular song by that name — and was known as Patricia ever after.
In 1936 she married Judd Barnes. They moved to Lansing, where she devoted her life to raising her four children.
In 1964 the couple traveled down to Briny Breezes and fell in love with the community.
They spent their retirement years wintering in Briny and in summers motor-homing around the U.S. and Canada until Judd died in 1978.
Some years later Mrs. Barnes married Matt Otey. They shared 21 years together before his death. Mrs. Barnes was a resident of Briny for 58 years. She was active in the craft, bridge and euchre clubs and enjoyed her weekly golf outings, walks on the beach, dancing and bicycling. Pat will be remembered for her great wit, kind soul, a bright smile and her homemade doughnuts and pies.
What a wonderful life. Mrs. Barnes leaves behind a legacy of four children, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. On May 25, 2018, the entire family along with many close friends came together to celebrate Pat’s 100th birthday at Briny’s clubhouse.
The family would like to give special thanks to Teresa Shelton for her four years of service as caregiver and her around-the-clock care in Mrs. Barnes’ last days.
— Obituary submitted by the family
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