In Memory Of
Carolyn Barnard
1923
2016
Carolyn Barnard
August 11, 1923 — August 10, 2016
Carolyn Gibson Barnard, Green Bay, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, August 10, 2016 in Madison, surrounded by her family.
Born and raised in Spartanburg, SC, Carolyn's southern charm never left her. She had an enthusiastic personality with a wonderful sense of humor. She loved her life and enjoyed it to the fullest until the very end. "Let's kick up our heels," she often said.
When her parents moved north to Milwaukee, then to Green Bay, during the Depression (1930's), she met Michael J. Barnard at East High. The teenage sweethearts married in 1946 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. They raised their eight children in Green Bay. "Four boys and four girls….that's what we call 'family planning'!" she joked. Although more exotic travel beckoned later, their early travel consisted of piling the 8 children into the station wagon for a Sunday fried-chicken picnic somewhere close by: Point Beach, Loon Lake (Shawano), or Baileys Harbor, Door County.
A devoted Catholic, Carolyn converted to the faith that sustained her, while working at the Chicago Sun Times, during the years when her husband Michael served in World War II. She was baptized, married, and now memorialized, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
An accomplished artist, Carolyn enjoyed painting iconic scenes of her beloved Wisconsin: Lambeau Field, Kaaps, Heritage Hill, and the Madison Capitol, among many others. Her art training started on Thursday mornings at the Neville Museum, her weekly break from homemaking.
Her primary focus was first and always her family, but she was also able to explore her own creativity, as the children grew up, and to develop expertise in her life-long passion, watercolor. She played violin as a child; she loved books, music, especially Big Band jazz, and all the arts. She was curious and was always a life-long learner, interested in the world around her, especially the beauties of nature.
Her community involvement included the YMCA, St. Norbert College, and the Green Bay Art Colony.
Carolyn is survived by her children: Jane Barnard, Stevens Point, James (Barb) Barnard, Madison, Daniel (Debbie) Barnard, Green Bay, Mary Barnard Feit (John) Mt Horeb, WI, William, Reno, NV, Anne Bologna (Peter), New Jersey and Betsy Barnard (Larry), Madison. She is further survived by 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, John Gibson, Milwaukee and a daughter-in-law, Pat Barnard, Atlanta.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; son, Thomas and sister, Dorothy Bender, Manitowoc.
Visitation will be held at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 10 to 11:45 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL (140 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay) at 12 NOON with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Private burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery.
"The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude."
– Thornton Wilder
"To share a memory of Carolyn or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below."
Born and raised in Spartanburg, SC, Carolyn's southern charm never left her. She had an enthusiastic personality with a wonderful sense of humor. She loved her life and enjoyed it to the fullest until the very end. "Let's kick up our heels," she often said.
When her parents moved north to Milwaukee, then to Green Bay, during the Depression (1930's), she met Michael J. Barnard at East High. The teenage sweethearts married in 1946 and enjoyed a long and happy marriage. They raised their eight children in Green Bay. "Four boys and four girls….that's what we call 'family planning'!" she joked. Although more exotic travel beckoned later, their early travel consisted of piling the 8 children into the station wagon for a Sunday fried-chicken picnic somewhere close by: Point Beach, Loon Lake (Shawano), or Baileys Harbor, Door County.
A devoted Catholic, Carolyn converted to the faith that sustained her, while working at the Chicago Sun Times, during the years when her husband Michael served in World War II. She was baptized, married, and now memorialized, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.
An accomplished artist, Carolyn enjoyed painting iconic scenes of her beloved Wisconsin: Lambeau Field, Kaaps, Heritage Hill, and the Madison Capitol, among many others. Her art training started on Thursday mornings at the Neville Museum, her weekly break from homemaking.
Her primary focus was first and always her family, but she was also able to explore her own creativity, as the children grew up, and to develop expertise in her life-long passion, watercolor. She played violin as a child; she loved books, music, especially Big Band jazz, and all the arts. She was curious and was always a life-long learner, interested in the world around her, especially the beauties of nature.
Her community involvement included the YMCA, St. Norbert College, and the Green Bay Art Colony.
Carolyn is survived by her children: Jane Barnard, Stevens Point, James (Barb) Barnard, Madison, Daniel (Debbie) Barnard, Green Bay, Mary Barnard Feit (John) Mt Horeb, WI, William, Reno, NV, Anne Bologna (Peter), New Jersey and Betsy Barnard (Larry), Madison. She is further survived by 19 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; a brother, John Gibson, Milwaukee and a daughter-in-law, Pat Barnard, Atlanta.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael; son, Thomas and sister, Dorothy Bender, Manitowoc.
Visitation will be held at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME (340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay), Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 10 to 11:45 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHEDRAL (140 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay) at 12 NOON with Bishop Robert Morneau officiating. Private burial will be in Allouez Catholic Cemetery.
"The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude."
– Thornton Wilder
"To share a memory of Carolyn or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carolyn Barnard, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Saturday, September 3, 2016
10:00 - 11:45 am (Central time)
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
Service
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Starts at 12:00 pm (Central time)
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
Guestbook
Visits: 14
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