Obituary of Amanda W. Barnes

Athol: Amanda “Mandie” (Wingate) Barnes, 70, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at her home. Mandie was born April 10, 1945 in Hackensack, New Jersey. She graduated from Westwood High School in Westwood, NJ, in 1963. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in 1967 and Master’s degree, summa cum laude, in 1968, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She married Sydney M. Barnes, on January 23, 1965, and became a widow February 4, 2006. Mandie taught middle and high school English, first in northern NJ, then locally, at the Stuart M. Townsend Middle School in Lake Luzerne, until she retired in 2002. She touched many individual lives and never saw a fellow human being as worthless; by expectation and encouragement, she inspired everyone who knew her to be better. Following retirement, she worked as an adult literacy volunteer, preparing adult students for the GED test. Throughout her life, she was a mentor and friend who by often unspoken example led people to raise their expectations of themselves, and in so doing, change their lives for the better. Mandie strongly believed in the positive power of local government. She was a member of the Warrensburg Central School board from 1984-1994, serving as president in 1990, through 1992, where she was instrumental in constructing the new high school. She sat on many committees over the years to improve education and services for the good of all, and was an active member of the Friends of Thurman. Her commitment to social justice led her to oppose corruption and nepotism wherever she found it. Her voice will be missed. She is survived by her children, Joanna (Barnes) Hynes and her husband, Robert, and John Barnes and his wife, Natalie Montoya-Barnes; three grandchildren, Joaquin and Zaid Barnes, and Katherine Hynes; a brother, Joseph Wingate; and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all. At Mandie’s request there will be no calling hours scheduled and services will be conducted privately. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Warrensburg Central School Scholarship Association, 103 Schroon River Road, Warrensburg, NY 12885, or to a similar organization of one’s choice. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook and condolences.