Ann Elizabeth Barney
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - January 27, 2008
Ann Elizabeth Barney was a Steamboat girl. She loved the snow and being outside for winter activities. New snow always meant excitement for Ann, who looked forward to sledding, building snowmen or, best of all, "going on the mountain."
Ann was born in Steamboat Springs on Aug. 8, 1988. She attended and made lifelong friends at Discovery Learning Center Preschool, spent three years at Strawberry Park Elementary and was home schooled for two years. She attended Lowell Whiteman Primary School for three years before returning to the public schools in eighth grade. Ann graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2006. She was senior class secretary/treasurer, co-editor of the school yearbook, a member of National Honor Society and was on the school honor roll each semester. Ann was fortunate to have a number of caring, concerned teachers throughout her school experience.
From an early age, Ann loved music, her music teachers and her friends in the music community. She played the flute for many years, learned to play the piano and performed at several events before teenage life crowded in.
Ann was a full-time competitor and loved sports. Her first love was soccer; she began playing on the traveling "Speed" team at the age of 8. She was a four-year starter on the Sailors high school team and was selected for the All-Conference teams her junior and senior years. She was named Honorable Mention for the All-State team as a senior. Ann enjoyed basketball from middle school through high school, started for the Sailors as a junior and a senior and was honored to be selected co-captain by her peers for her senior season. She also ski raced for the Winter Sports Club through seventh grade. Ann was blessed with wonderful caring coaches and teammates in all of her sports. She always loved being part of "the team."
Ann was a sophomore at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., majoring in interior design. She transferred to WSU after her first semester in college and found her place in the small town atmosphere that was home to a large university. She was named to the President's List every semester. At WSU, Ann discovered the fun of intramural sports, playing soccer and flag football. She also loved to cheer on the school teams; she was a true "Cougs" fan. She made good friends, developed professional relationships with her instructors and, to the dismay of her parents, began referring to Pullman as "home." Ann passed away in a traffic accident on Jan. 11, 2008, her way to a snowboarding weekend with friends.
Ann is survived by her parents, Vicky and Patrick, and her brother, Daniel, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Both her maternal and paternal grandparents preceded her in death. Ann's life was celebrated at a service in Steamboat Springs on Jan. 19, 2008. She would have been overwhelmed by the love shown at that service by friends, family and the community of Steamboat Springs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ann Barney Memorial Fund in care of Yampa Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.
