Barbara Hartnett

Dr. Barbara Mary Witczak Hartnett, 74, Lawrence, lost her battle with cancer at home on April 27.

She was born to Matthew and Mary Witczak on Dec. 5, 1946 in Cicero, Ill. She graduated from St. Mary of Czestochowa grade school and then Nazareth Academy. She earned college degrees from the U. of Illinois (B.S.), Illinois State U. (M.S.) and Northern Illinois U. (Ed.D).

She met her future husband, Mike Hartnett, in high school in 1963. They married the day after graduating from Illinois in 1968. She taught Psychology for many years, at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL, rising to the rank of full professor. She later took early retirement and eventually became Executive Director of Friendship House of Christian Service, a social agency in Peoria, IL.

Barbara and Mike retired and moved to Lawrence in 2013. She then served on the board of directors for 10,000 Villages and Altrusa.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 am Tues. May 4, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home and live-streamed on the Rumsey-Yost Facebook page.

Contributions can be made to the Altrusa Foundation sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.