Barbara J. Brannan

Barbara J. Brannan passed from this life on November 4, 2013. She was with her "family" at Hillcrest Home, Geneseo, Illinois, which has been her home for the past 36 years. Since March of this year, Barbara was also under the care of Passages Hospice, so she was able to meet yet more caregivers and share her God-given gifts of joy and love with them. Barbara was born in Monmouth, Illinois, on February 23, 1943, to Marion and John A. Brannan. She was raised by Aunt Frances Brannan because of the death of her mother shortly after her birth. Barbara lived in her home with Aunt Frances and Aunt Ruth Johnson together with her older brothers, Richard and Donald, and cousin, Kay Johnson Dossey. Barbara went to the first 8 years of school at Immaculate Conception School and then graduated from Monmouth High School. While living at Hillcrest Home, she attended adult education classes at Black Hawk East Community College. Barbara had a passion for patriotism, Girl Scouts, and her faith in God. She amazed everyone with her ability to remember the names of all the Presidents in their order of service. Barbara never failed to remember the complete names of all her friends and their relatives, many of whom she had never actually met! Even under circumstances of ill health, she retained her positive attitude and conveyed love and joy to all those who cared for her. Her presence will be sorely missed. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Drake Brannan; aunts, Ruth Johnson and Frances Brannan; and cousin, Don Brannan. She is survived by her brother, Richard Brannan and his partner, Timothy Ritchie of Chicago; cousin, Kay Dossey (Charles) of Round Rock, Texas; cousins, Michele Bischoffberger (Jerry) and family of Georgetown, Texas, Charlene Canizales (Roy) and family, of Round Rock, Texas, and Stephen Dossey, of Round Rock, Texas; and cousin, Lonetta Brannan of Monmouth, IL. Services:A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, November 15, 2013, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 210 West Broadway, Monmouth IL, 61462, by Msgr. Thomas Mack. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Monmouth. Memorial contributions may be given in Barbara's memory to Immaculate Conception School Capital Fund, or Hillcrest Nursing Home, 14688 IL Hwy 82, Geneseo, IL, 61254.