Elizabeth DeFrehn Barnette, 78, passed away at her home on Sunday, January 28th, surrounded by her family.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 300 Dundee Rd. Pinehurst, Friday at 11:00 A.M. Interment will take place at a later date.

The eldest of five daughters, Elizabeth was born on September 10, 1939 in Allentown, PA, the daughter of Goodwin and Anna DeFrehn. Elizabeth attended Sts. Peter and Paul grade school and Leighton High School. She received her RN degree from Reading Hospital School of Nursing in 1960.

In the same year, Elizabeth met the love of her life, Swifton Eugene Barnette. The couple married on September 18, 1965 and lived 52 years of faithful, joyful, and sacramental matrimony. Two children, Steve and Jean Marie were born to this union. Elizabeth was a devoted wife and mother, always putting the needs of her family first.

A dedicated and caring nurse, Elizabeth practiced her nursing profession for 50 years, holding licenses in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, California, Virginia, New Jersey and North Carolina.

She was a tremendous student, earning high marks in school, being a member of Sigma Theta Tau honor society of Nursing and earning a BSN at UNC – Charlotte in 1984 and receiving the Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence. She had membership in the Alumni Association of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing, the Emergency Department Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, was a volunteer nurse for Hospice of Charlotte, worked with the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross, and was a member of the Quality Control Team for Patient Satisfaction at The Valley Hospital. Elizabeth was honored to be in “Who’s Who in Nursing America”, and scored so highly on her medical boards that she automatically received recognition of her nursing credentials without having to pass further exams.

Elizabeth had many friends and hobbies. She was a member of the Pinehurst Country Club and Women’s Golf Association, and was also involved in tennis, bowling, theatrical performances, classical music, dancing and board games. She loved to travel, especially beach vacations (walking on the beach and collecting seashells) and the trip of a lifetime to Rome and the Vatican, where she saw the Pope.

Moving with her husband to Pinehurst in 2004, Elizabeth was devoted to her parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was a faithful adorer of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Elizabeth leaves behind her devoted husband, Gene, their children Steven (wife Karen) of Charlotte, and Jean Marie Bass (husband Thomas), of Suwanee, GA, and five grandchildren: Jonathan, Lauren, Katelyn, Danielle and Jennifer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.StJude.org

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Elizabeth Barnette, please visit Boles’ Tribute Store.

Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.com.

Mrs. Barnette’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.

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