Maureen Therese Barnes of Springfield left our earthly world at home surrounded by family on January 20, 2024, a month after her 69th birthday.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 20, 1954 to her parents Mary Catherine (Barron) and David Mahoney and moved to Springfield at a young age where she graduated from Springfield High School. Upon graduation, she met the love of her life Troy Barnes and they were married before their friends, family and God at Christ the King Church on September 6, 1974. Together they had three children: Tom, Sarah and Brian.
Her memory will be carried on by her beloved husband Troy Barnes, three children Thomas (Stacy) Barnes, Sarah (David) Byun and Brian (Whitney) Barnes, brothers David (Kathy) Mahoney, Dennis (Cindy) Mahoney, sister Margaret ‘Peggy’ Mahoney, Sister-in-Law Diann (Gary) Glenn, seven grandchildren, close cousins, nieces and nephews, and the hundreds of friends she made such a huge part of her life.
Maureen dedicated her professional life to serving others in the medical field. Upon the encouragement of a local doctor, Maureen enrolled in night school to get her nursing degree. Over the next three decades she would create a highly impactful and respected nursing career working in both private practice and surgery at Memorial Health Systems. Often known as “Mother Moe”, she mentored many young nurses and was always a welcoming presence.
After retiring from her career in nursing, Maureen sped up rather than slowed down.
Her wish for grandchildren came true in a hurry with seven births in seven years. She had a unique special relationship with each of her grandchildren - Kylie, Owen, Arlo, Cassidy, August, Viona and Ruth. One of her great joys was bringing her grandchildren back to summer vacations on Lake Michigan where she and her extended family had brought their own children for so many years as parents. She always said her times in Lake Michigan with family and friends were some of the best memories she had ever made.
Aside from family vacations, she and Troy sought their own adventures traveling the country and the world making friends all along the way. Spending time with the family throughout the year, they looked forward to their winters in Florida where she and Troy immersed themselves in their snowbird community making new friendships with people from all places. She also kept up with her sisterhood of nurses with cherished weekly and monthly dinners and lunches.
Maureen fought her battle with cancer with her chin up and her head held high. Throughout the too few months she battled cancer, she remained a beacon of strength for her family and the many, many people who loved her. Through it all, she had the unwavering support of Troy who never left her side and was her partner in all things throughout their 49 loving years of marriage.
Though she left this world much too soon, her loved ones are comforted to know that she has joined her beloved sister, Trish Milburn, in the life beyond and she will be looking down on the legacy of the family she created.
Maureen will be celebrated with a Catholic mass and a celebration of life in the coming months.
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