Lena M. Barrett

In her younger days Lena worked at the Lockerbie Glove Factory sewing fingers for gloves. Her sewing talent developed and resulted in her being an excellent seamstress. Throughout her life she shared her talent with friends and family, crafting wedding dresses, draperies, bedding, and halloween costumes. Anything to do with sewing she mastered. And she loved decorating!

Lena met Harry at a dance at the Indiana Ball Room during World War II when Harry was stationed at Camp Atterbury, They were married shortly after meeting and enjoyed more than 50 years of wedded bliss. They were quite the swing dancers and enjoyed dancing throughout their lives. While Harry was fighting the War in Europe Lena worked at RCA. She really enjoyed her job. When Harry came home from the War she found her true purpose in life, her three sons, Rick, Tom and George.

While Rick was in Viet Nam Lena kept a lighted candle burning 24 hours a day for him until he returned home. Until her death, Lena had (flameless) candles burning in front of pictures of Harry, Tom and Tommy.

Her boys married wonderful women, Rick married Julie, Tom married Karen and George married Vicki.

After her boys were married she focused on her grandchildren, Kimmy Barrett Brownfield, Tommy Barrett and Allena Barrett (named in honor of Lena). She adored them and was fortunate to spend many years with them. She was blessed with great grandchildren, Tommy and Olivia Brownfield.

Cooking was one of Lena’s biggest enjoyments in life. Sunday afternoon spaghetti and meatballs at the Barrett Household was like Church-you didn’t miss. There was always room at the table for anyone who stopped by for a bowl. When Rick was stationed at Fort Knox it wasn’t unusual to see some of Rick’s Army buddies around the table for her delicious meals.

Lena loved casinos, from Shelbyville to Las Vegas (mostly Shelbyville). Mike Thorne took her on casino outings. They would top off the day with a dinner buffet to celebrate their winnings or get mad about their losses. She enjoyed these adventures well into her 100’s.

Lena was sad that most of her lifelong friends had died, but she met more wonderful friends along the way, like Marilyn Clark and Betty Ponich. Her nieces Patty Ann Harris and Cece Jo Harman along with her great niece Gina Jinks kept her in great spirits. Lena’s friendships with her sons’ friends lasted her lifetime. She appreciated their acts of kindness and visits from them.

The family of Lena Barrett wishes to thank all of our friends for their prayers, kind words, for remembering Lena and celebrating her life.