Obituary of Elizabeth L. Barnes

Elizabeth Kathleen Lame Bingham Barnes, born December 5, 1917 in Elizabeth, NJ, died on December 15, 2016 at Crestwood Manor, Whiting, NJ. She was the daughter of Harvey Louis Lame and Mary Anna Cullen. She graduated from Battin High School for Girls, Elizabeth, NJ in 1936. She worked for General Motors until her marriage to George Charles Bingham in 1943 and they had two children, Linda (Walter) Lame Bingham Barnes Gadkowski of Centerville, MA and Naples, FL and David (Diane) Harrison Bingham Barnes of Jackson, NJ. In 1955 they divorced and “Bess” “was a leaning-in working mother” before the phrase was in general use. In 1956, she married Harrison Barnes and continued a long career in business. First working for Ingersoll Rand and then as the receptionist for 600 physicians at Schering Plough (Merck) in Kenilworth, NJ., she was a thoughtful and caring woman who considered her most rewarding experience was having two wonderful children. There are now 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She wrote, “Just try to do as many things right as you can. Your life will be much happier. Happiness depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances. Bad things have negative results. I believe in smiling often. Make every effort to send your children to church at an early age. Try to have fun with your children. They are very precious. This will be very rewarding.” She had a very strong positive character and survived Tuberculosis and two bouts of Cancer. Elizabeth retired to Centerville, Cape Cod, MA and became a SHINE councillor and the secretary for the Barnstable Senior Center Association, Hyannis, MA. She was also active in the B.P.O.E. Does in New Jersey. Reading was a favorite pastime, along with travel and summers at Mohican Lake, Glen Spey, NY. A Memorial Service was held on December 17th for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to www.boyscoutsofamerica.com or www.girlscouts.org