Janet Marie Jackson Barney

April 15, 1939 - July 6, 2017

Janet Marie Jackson Barney, our wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away July 6, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was 78 years young, having stayed actively involved in serving family, friends and her Heavenly Father all of her days. Jan was born April 15, 1939 in Salt Lake City to George Edward Jackson and Nellie Marie Durtschi Jackson. She grew up in Salt Lake City where she loved spending time with her brothers, Don and Bob, and her beloved cousins. She also enjoyed being outdoors, climbing trees, playing jacks, jumping rope and caring for her many dollies. Growing up during World War II, she learned to make her own fun and to appreciate all she was blessed with. She worked at the souvenir shop at Saltair and as a candy-striper at Primary Children’s Hospital. She was part of the 50th graduating class of Granite High School and completed two years at Utah State University. She continued to be a life-long learner, always seeking to increase her knowledge of the gospel and many other things. In the fall of 1959 she met David Oren Barney at a church dance. They were married exactly three months later on December 17 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their family grew to include twelve children, each of which Jan loved with all her heart. She recognized the unique talents and abilities of each one and sought to help them recognize and develop those strengths. She had a special relationship with each child. She taught them many important things, both temporal and spiritual through word and deed. She and Dave traveled across the United States and Canada with their family in a motor home he built to meet their specific needs. A talented seamstress, she sewed choir dresses for her girls, costumes for dance recitals and Halloween, curtains for their motor home, and many other items. She attended numerous concerts, games, plays and recitals in support of her children and grandchildren. She remembered every birthday, and tried to make a personal visit to each one on their special day. She loved the trampoline and could often be found jumping with the kids—both to their delight and hers. She had the amazing ability to prepare the most wonderful meals from the simplest things, always providing something to anyone who stopped by. Her delicious round wheat bread, baked in a large can, was a family favorite. She made every holiday special and her family Easter Egg Hunt was a highlight every year. For more than thirty years, the last week of June has found the family at Snowbird. Jan loved it there, and the gathering of family in that beautiful location. Just this year she could be found there hiking and climbing with the family and down on the floor playing with the little ones. Her love and service to her family extended in both directions. She lovingly cared for parents, parents-in-law, and her beloved aunts as they aged. She also regularly tended her great-grandchildren right up to the end. Spending time with and serving her family brought her the greatest joy. A woman of great capacity for loving kindness and service, she exemplified the Savior’s command to love one another. Always an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served faithfully in many callings in Primary, Cub Scouts and Young Women, as well as serving several years as ward librarian and preparing the weekly ward bulletin. She blessed countless lives as she did so. She was also a diligent visiting teacher, loving her companions and the sisters they visited. Her testimony of the gospel and her faith in her Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and His Atonement were anchors in her life. She loved spending time in the temple, and treasured the covenants she made there. How much we love and will miss her, but how grateful we are for the many wonderful memories that remain with us. Jan was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Janalee, daughter-in-law Julie, sister-in-law Helen. Survived by husband, Dave; children Kris (fiancé Cindy), Paula (Joe) Skeen, Karen (Ray) Hoffmann, Kip, Janae, Daniel (Jennifer), Delane, Neil (Brittany), Ryan (Michele), Alysia (Rob) McIntosh and Michael (Nikki); 29 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, with 4 more coming in the next few months; brothers Don (Carroll) Jackson and Bob (Eve) Jackson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15th, at 12:00 Noon, at the LDS chapel located at 6301 South 2300 East, Holladay, Utah, where Viewings will be held Friday, July 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and prior to services on Saturday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Interment in Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 “N” Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.