Barbara Joan Barrett

Barbara Joan (Manter) Barrett was deceased on February 6, 2024, at the age of 84 at Doey’s House after suffering complications from acute illness. Her daughter was by her bedside as she passed peacefully into eternity.

Born July 27, 1939, in Syracuse, New York, Barbara was the daughter of Marion A. (Coonley) Manter and Ralph M. Manter of Eliot, Maine. She graduated from Eliot High School in 1957 and pursued her dreams of becoming a nurse, graduating as a registered nurse from Salem State School of Nursing in 1960. Soon after marrying Herman Barnett, she had three daughters, while continuing to work part time as a Registered Nurse. At twenty-seven, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis; her family recounts that she was relived to learn of a diagnosis that was not terminal, as she would be able to live and raise her daughters. Barbara remained positive, determined, and developed a strength of will. She resumed her college studies, graduating in 1970 with her Bachelor of Science degree from Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey. Soon after, her family moved to Hagerstown, Maryland, where Barbara worked at Washington County Hospital and became the charge nurse at Western Maryland Center.

She married the love of her life, Frederick Barrett, in 1981. Fred provided her with a life of independence, she would not have known otherwise. Barbara’s family is forever grateful for his acts of love and compassion towards Barbara, and Barbara’s daughter, Sandy.

Barbara was a big lover of kitties and birds. According to her high school yearbook, she loved the color pink, and was active in school life, serving in leadership roles in several organizations. Barbara’s determination was evident throughout her life; as her MS symptoms progressed and mobility became more difficult, she obtained a hand-held driver’s license. She cut her own hair despite impaired vision and monitored medical staff as they administered her medicines. All the while, she never looked for pity or asked for sympathy for her disabilities.

She is survived by her two daughters, Teresa (Barrett) Dumpe, spouse Edward Dumpe of Hagerstown, Maryland, Sandy Barrett of Fahrney Keedy Nursing Home; sister Elizabeth (Manter) Hett and spouse Richard of Lexington, Massachusetts; sister from another mother Jean Berasi, spouse Pete from Hopewell Junction, New York, three grandsons, Edward J Dumpe III of Boonsboro, Maryland, Scott R. Dumpe of North Carolina, Joseph P. Dumpe of Hagerstown, Maryland. Additionally, she is survived by four granddaughters, Elizabeth Johnstone, spouse Joel of New Haven, Connecticut, and Kelly Doheny, spouse James of West Haven, Connecticut, Sarah Dobrosky, spouse Michael of Derby, Connecticut, Kiernan Dobrosky of Meriden Connecticut, and eight great grandchildren, Alana, Emma, Kaylie, Makenzie, Titus, Maori, Mikaela, and Shayla.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Frederick G. Barett, daughter, Susan E. (Barrett), Dobrosky of New Haven, Connecticut, parents, Marion, and Ralph Manter.

A Catholic Mass will be held Friday, February 9, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hagerstown, MD. Inurement will be held at Rest Haven Cemetery, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue., Hagerstown, at the convenience of the family.