Celebrating the Life of Virginia Marie Barnett

September 27, 1944 – March 20, 2026

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

Virginia Marie Barnett, 81, was the warm, unshakeable heartbeat of her family, and though she has left us, she lives on in every laugh, every Friday night dinner, and every glass of Chardonnay. Born in Toppenish, Washington, she departed this world on March 20, 2026, peacefully at home in Seattle, when, as only her family could say it, her tiny body was simply “too pooped to party.”

We take comfort knowing she is welcomed at the Pearly Gates by her grandmother Evelyn Brayton; her parents Melvin and Alice Barnett; her brothers Frank (Lena), Bill (June), David, Gene (Helen), and Joe (Marsha); her sisters Joanne Leibrecht (Herman) and MaryJane Thysell (Rod); her longtime companion Ben Macias; and the great love of her life, her first husband and father of her children, Fred Fuoco. We picture her already settled into a cozy recliner, watching and judging Food Network and HGTV.

She is survived by her beloved children, her greatest achievement, Frank Fuoco (Benjamin), Margo Fuoco Pedigo (Brad), and David Fuoco; her brother Mike (Becky); her sister Grace Wagner (Donald); brother-in-law Tony Fuoco (Dottie); and the brightest beacon in her life, her grandson Cale Fuoco (Arun). She cherished her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and they loved her right back.

Her best friend Linda (Fike) Herman captured her spirit perfectly in their 1963 Top-hi yearbook:

“You’ve been a dear friend and you know how to make a person feel better when they are feeling bad. Stay like that and you’ll always have all the friends in the world.

Love ya, Linda.”

Sixty-three years later, those words still ring true. Virginia never stopped being that person, the one who knew exactly how to lift you up when you needed it most.

Virginia built a life of quiet determination, raising her family, earning her college degree alongside her own children (and outperforming them, largely because she skipped the keggers), and building a respected career as a Payroll Coordinator before retiring in her late 60s to travel, hit the casinos, and never miss a Friday night family dinner.

Virginia was our biggest cheerleader, even when she quietly disagreed with our more questionable decisions. She loved being a Barnett and a Fuoco with her whole heart. Keep the family together. Make more memories, share old stories, and laugh freely at, and with, this beautiful, mixed bag of nuts we’re lucky enough to call ours.

Raise a glass of Chardonnay to a life extraordinarily well lived.

We love you, Mom.