Surrounded by family, Barbara Barrett Kantner was called to heaven on the evening of Saturday March 12th. The most important thing to Barbara was having all of her family together. We feel it is a privilege and a statement of her deep, ever-lasting love for us that she wanted us to be there for her passing.

Barbara enjoyed and lived life with pride, devotion, elegance and dignity. Her passions were family, art, design and travel. Growing up in Mystic, Connecticut and Alexandria, Virginia, she was surrounded by her loving parents Vera and Charles Barrett Sr., as well as 3 siblings Dana (Krafft), Vera (Acker) and Charles Barrett Jr., all of whom have pre-deceased her.

Very early in life it became evident that Barbara had an innate talent for art. This gift was fostered by her father, who would take her to drawing classes as a young child. After graduating high school, she attended fine art school. This would set the foundation for her life-long passion of oil painting, which she avidly pursued in her later years.

At the young age of 17, she made her way to New York City with the goal of becoming a fashion model. Quickly she was signed with the Ford modeling agency. She appeared in countless magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar as well as multiple newspaper print ads.

In 1948 she became the lead fashion model with Julius Garfinckel's, a prominent department store in Washington D.C., appearing at countless diplomatic functions as well as filming the first color television commercial in Washington D.C. Later, she became the fashion coordinator for Garfinckel's, organizing and commentating fashion shows for famous designers such as Oleg Cassini, Pierre Cardin and Oscar de la Renta.

Moving to Stuart in 1972, Barbara was married to Woodrow Kantner. They spent many years pursuing their love of adventure and traveling. Few would believe it, but Barbara became an avid duck hunter and outdoors person. She loved to fish, hike, canoe and horse -back ride. Summers were spent at their summer home in Cutler, Maine where Barbara loved to eat fresh seafood and blueberry pie, hike their property, entertain out of town guests and paint with fellow artists in town. She made many life-long friends within the Cutler community.

In 2001 Barbara and Woody moved to the Stuart Yacht and Country Club. After an extended illness, Woody passed away in 2007. Since many years were spent caring for her husband, Barbara's family was extremely worried about her well-being as a widow. Nevertheless, Barbara discovered a renewed spirit and zest for life. She made many friends within the SYCC community, taking part in the Bridge Club, Croquet Club, as well as art and social functions at the club. She loved her community, and greatly enjoyed her life surrounded by friends and family.

The last 4 months of her life were spent at Allegro Assisted Living in Stuart. Even in this short period of time, Barbara touched many lives there. She developed friends quickly, and was known as the "fashionista" there. She lit up a room with her style, dignity and charm.

Barbara will be deeply missed by many, but her spirit and love lives on in her 3 children: Dana (Doug) Bayer, Roger (Mattie) Hesketh, and Lori (Brad) Granfield, the 2 daughters she raised as her own: Marianne (Louie) Windridge-Sultan, and Susan Windridge: Her 4 grandchildren: Roger (Lauren) Hesketh III, Jennifer (Rob) Crowder, Rebecca Hesketh, and Doug Bayer Jr., as well as 7 great-grandchildren: Her nephews Joe Rodgers, Bob Rodgers, Jay Krafft, and niece Ann Krafft-Lewis.

In accordance with Barbara's wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Stuart Yacht and Country Club, main clubhouse on Saturday March 19th from 1pm-2:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Treasure Coast Hospice 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.