Cleo Ella Barnes

Cleo Barnes passed away in Farmington NM on June 23, 2013, aged 94, from pneumonia. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Gina Barnes (David Hughes) of Durham UK, Andrea Greenaker (Rick) of Farmington, Robert Barnes (Kelley) of Florence CO, and James Barnes (Mary) of Leadville CO; by her grandchildren: Katherine Barnes of Hotchkiss CO, Benjamin Barnes of Leadville CO, Robin Barnes of Denver CO; and her great-grandchildren: Echo, Xavier and Indigo Miller-Barnes of Hotchkiss CO. Cleo was born in Nitro, WV and grew up in Lakewood NY. She graduated in Fine Arts from Allegheny College, Meadville PA in 1941 and belonged to Kappa Alpha Theta and Kappa Delta Epsilon. She married Richard A. Barnes in 1943. In Longmont CO (1949-1970) where Cleo and Dick raised their family, she was the church organist, and an accomplished pianist. She belonged to AAUW and PEO and was a 4H leader. Cleo and Dick moved to Boulder CO (1970-1988), where she was Secretary, Department of Oriental Languages, at the University of Colorado. In Belton TX (1988-1998) Cleo was a member of the Historical Society and the Sportsmans Club (fishing) of Bell County. Her interest in plants led her to join the Native Plant Society of Texas. In Farmington (1998-2013), Cleo served as a board member for Salmon Ruins. She supported Theatre Ensemble Arts and HHPC at San Juan College, and the Native Plant Society of NM and was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard A. Barnes, brothers John Parker Swanson and Arthur Andre Swanson Jr., and grandchildren Drew and Whitney Barnes. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church in Farmington on Saturday, July 20, at 10 am with Father Guy Mackay officiating. Interment of ashes will follow at a later date at St. John's Cathedral, Denver CO. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cleo Barnes Tribute Acct. #1085789 at The Nature Conservancy (1-800-628-6860 opt. 2) are very much welcomed. Cleo's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute St., (505) 325-8688.