Hemlock: At age 104, Jane passed away on March 4, 2022. She is survived by her daughters; Janet (John) Murphy and Mary Barnard (Rich Hargrave); son-in-law William (Sandie) Bacon; grandchildren; Sarah (Jon) Bolles, Rachel (David) Brocklebank, Kellogg (Kelli) Murphy, and Shawn (Kate) Murphy; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sister Ruth Deck; sister-in-law Estelle Barber; many nieces, nephews, and hundreds of former students. She was predeceased by her husband Howard Barnard in 2012; daughter Carol Bacon in 2010; granddaughter-in-law Suzanne Murphy; great granddaughter Cora Murphy; and brothers Frank Decker, John Barber, Leslie Barber, and Kenneth Barber.
Jane was born in Lima, NY on January 14, 1918. She attended Geneseo Normal School to become a teacher and began her career in a one room school house. After marrying Howard, moving to Honeoye, and starting a family, Jane returned to teaching at Hemlock School. She retired from the Livonia Central School as a member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
Jane loved people and was a lifelong “joiner.” She became a member of the Honeoye UCC, Eastern Star, IWBT, Richmond Historical Society and the Hemlock Grange. After years of organizing dinners, she “retired” to selling tickets. Jane volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Drive, was the “face” of the Honeoye Food Pantry, and in later years was a fixture in the museum at the Hemlock Fair. The secret to her long life? Hershey’s Kisses! Our heartfelt thanks to the Bridges of Mendon for their loving care over the past year.
Family and friends may call on Friday, June 10th, from 4-7pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 8624 Main Street, Honeoye, NY. Jane’s funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 11th, at the Honeoye United Church of Christ, 8758 Main Street, Honeoye, NY. Burial will be held privately at Union Cemetery, Livonia, NY at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Honeoye Food Pantry or the Honeoye UCC. Both can be sent to the church address. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Jane Barnard was the kindest person and the gentlest mother of any the wonderful mothers of my friends. Mary was one of my very best friends and time spent with her family were among the favorite memories of my childhood. Jane and Howard were wonderful hosts. The most beautiful and wonderful memories of time at the Barnard house—love and happy thoughts to my dear Mary at this terrible loss. ???
Mrs. Barnard was my 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Hemlock School. She was such a kind, nurturing, and dedicated teacher who also kept us all in check during class. A favorite memory is her taking the class to her farm on field trips. We will always remember her and her beautiful smile!
We will both dearly miss Jane. While Tom has known her for most of his liife, I met Jane shortly after I married him and moved her from Toronto. Because I didn’t yet have a “green card” or SSN, I couldn’t work for money, so decided to volunteer at the Food Pantry. Probably many people first met Jane at one volunteer opportunity or anotheer! She may have been sweet, but she was feisty and spolke her mind. I think that’s why we liked each other. She was A RARE BIRD and left her caring, friendly and deep mark on us and the community.
We send condolences to her loving family for her loss.
Jane,
What a great loss. All of us at the Hemlock Fair will miss you. You spent so many hours sitting in our fair museum over the years. My visits to see you when you were still home were always so enjoyable and my phone conversations with you when you finally needed to go into the care facility made me feel happy. You were always so positive, no matter what and always glad that I called. I know that you were ready to go but I will think of you often and miss that sweet smile forever, I would like to let your family know how sorry I am for their great loss. Thank you for being my friend and rest in peace.
Mrs. Barnard was familiar to most around the area, she’ll be remembered as a very sweet woman… To Me she was a Mom to a favorite classmate of mine, plus Jane & Howard played cards with my folks sometimes.. If you happen across the Richmond Town Bicentennial publication “Looking back”, you’ll see what a gifted writer she was, as she recalled the area’s history in “School Days.” God bless her for her long and meaningful life, and her contributions to the region.
Your Mother was such a Wonderful Woman!!! Her fantastic smile will always be in our minds & hearts. She will me missed by all of us. So glad that she was in our lives.
I would like everyone to know that Mrs. Barnard gave every student whom she taught a card with a $2 bill on their graduation from high school. Its one of my fondest memories. She will be missed. Thank you Mrs. Bernard.
To the Greatest Lady I have ever known. May you rest in peace. You will be greatly missed. I could never give you enough praise that you deserve.
So many warm and genuine tributes on this site capture Jane’s life and spirit so well. Jane was a true inspiration. In addition to her amazing achievement as a centenarian, may Jane’s positive attitude, kindness, smile, community spirit, and knowledge of our community’s history be her lasting legacy. Jane Decker Barnard enriched our lives, and I, for one, will be forever grateful. RIP, Jane. We all will miss you.
Sister Jane was one of my favorite people. When I was Matron of Eagle Star Chapter 350, she was my secretary. We had so many memorable times of cooking dinners under her leadership and many fun times. Rest in peace my dear sister.
Jane was a great person. Very passionate and caring prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time.
It’s hard to imagine the world without Jane’s shining presence.
Jane, you will be missed!
Our heartfelt condolences to all of Jane‘s family!
Markus & Ruth Sauerwein
Germany
“Old Lady” was one very special lady. She has always been my inspiration as I strive to be like her. We had such fun together and she was always ready to lend a hand. I will miss her.
“The young whippersnapper”
Helen Johnson
Jane was one of the first people I met upon moving to Honeoye in 1972. She was always one of my favorite people . Jane smiled with her eyes and she was the most gracious person I ever met. Bless you now and forever for all the gifts you have given of yourself to others in need. You will be dearly missed but we are all better for having known you!??
To one of the most gentle, loving souls I had the pleasaure of meeting.. May you rest in paradise now sweet, sweet Jane..
A dear heart, she was a bright light in our community. Will be missed by so many.
So very sorry to hear this news. I was a first grade student at the Hemlock School I think it was the 1959-60 school year. Mrs. Barnard never forgot me. Always when we saw her she would smile and tell everyone that I was a favorite student. I am sure at the time I wasn’t the best student, but she sure showed us love. I loved our field trips to the Barnard farm for picnics. How times have changed from the days of 7 kids in a class with 2 classes per teacher. I will miss you smiling face Jane!
Jane was a wonderful lady and an Icon in the community. She will be missed by all that knew her.
Mrs. Barnard you will be missed by all of us from the Hemlock “Little Worlds” Fair. EVERYTIME I enter the museum I will remember you sitting with a smile and greeting everyone who walked through the doors. Who always remembered me from first grade and asked me how my red headed brother was. I have a picture of you and I that I will cherish for ever. Thank You for being kind to so many students, fair goers, and anyone who you crossed paths with. We are thinking of your family, Rest in peace sweet lady.
Mrs Barnard will definitely be missed by so many students from LCS. She was a amazing Lady n a Big Part of my growing up in hemlock NY . A strong Love goes out to her family n friends May she rest in Peace Now Thank For All You did in My Life