Scharlotte Richey Barney, 73, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 21, 2008, at her home in Oak Harbor. Scharlotte was born in 1935 in St. Johns, Ariz., and comes from a long line of strong LDS pioneering heritage. Her family moved several times while she was growing up, throughout Arizona and Oregon. Then in 1952, her family packed up and traveled the Alcan Highway, then all the way to Kodiak Island, Alaska, where she graduated from high school in 1953. It was here that she met and married the love of her life in a 19-year-old enlisted man, Robert LeRoy Barney.
They were married at the base chapel, Kodiak, in 1956. After their first son, Tom, was born, they traveled the inside passage to Seattle then by bus to California, where they were Sealed as an Eternal Family in the Los Angeles Temple in 1958. Over the next 10 years they were stationed at several bases in California, had three daughters and spent too much time apart because of military obligations.
Then in 1968, they were blessed with being stationed at NAS Whidbey. For Scharlotte, it was love at first sight and they have been here ever since.
Scharlotte was dedicated to her family, the Gospel and her home. While raising 6 children, she managed to make a beautiful home and yard always with a huge vegetable garden and she was skilled at canning and preserving food. She sewed almost all the clothes the children wore while growing up, including overcoats and 3 piece suits for her two missionary sons. She was an active leader in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America for over 40 years, where she continued on to receive her wood badge beads in 1986, as a member of the Buffalo Patrol (affectionately dubbed “Buffy”) and was awarded the District Award of Merit, one of the highest awards that can be earned by an adult in the scouting program. Both of her sons earned their Eagle Scout award.
Scharlotte loved the outdoors; it began with her own yard and extended to all of nature. She could identify almost any tree or plant around and most birds as well. She loved camping, canoeing, back-packing and became skilled at campfire cooking. She traveled through Bowron Provincial Park in British Columbia twice and hiked approximately 200 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
She has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life and has served with several organizations within her wards, as well as serving as a volunteer worker in the Seattle Temple for several years.
Scharlotte graduated from Skagit Valley College in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Her friends have all been witness to her beautiful gift with a paintbrush and oils.
After all the kids finally became independent, Robert bought a Honda Goldwing and together they traveled the North West visiting eight different states.
Scharlotte is survived by her beloved husband; six children and their spouses: Tom and Marilyn of Tacoma, Autumn and Mike of Oak Harbor, Tammy and Tim of Oak Harbor, Violet and Kevin of Pocatello, Idaho, Rob Roy and Wendy of Pocatello, Scharlene and Andrew of Delaware, Ohio; 21 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and her 4 brothers: Forest Richey, Floyd Richey, Ray Richey and Ted Richey. All who knew her will fondly remember her.
A public gathering and visitation will be held in her memory on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, 30 SE Ely St., Oak Harbor.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 201 NE O’Leary Street Oak Harbor. All are welcome. Graveside services will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
