Barbara J. “Barb” Brennen, 76, of 135 Reserve Road, St. Marys, passed away on Monday evening, April 22, 2024, at her residence, surrounded by her four daughters and loving husband, following a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
Barb was born March 21, 1948, in St. Marys, daughter of the late Wilfred J. “Biff” and Alberta M. “Birdie” Emmert Hoffman.
On August 23, 1969 in Queen of the World Church, she married Bradley C. “Brad” Brennen, her high school sweetheart. They were blessed to know each other most of their lives and to share 54 years of marriage.
Barb was a lifelong resident of St. Marys and graduated from Elk County Christian High School, Class of 1966, where she was Senior Class Secretary.
In addition to her loving husband, Brad, she is survived by her four daughters: Cheryl Giacomino of Pittsburgh, Amy DeCarolis (Tommy) of Morton, PA, Denise Pfingstler-Johnson (Tom) of DuBois, and Vicki Rupprecht (Stephen) of Erie; three grandchildren: Ben and Jenna Pfingstler and Grace DeCarolis; two step-grandchildren, Lindsey and Ainsley Johnson; three sisters: Ruth Wendel of St. Marys, Mary Eckert of Cortland, NY, and Nancy Conway (Larry) of St. Marys; a brother-in-law, Llewellyn “Sam” Huff; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Susan Huff and two brothers-in-law, Elmer Wendel and Gary Eckert.
In addition to being a devoted Catholic, mother and housewife, Barb worked as a Secretary at Keystone Carbon Company, and in later years, in the St. Marys Elementary school cafeteria. She and Brad loved going for rides in the woods on the weekends and made several trips throughout the United States to visit America’s National Parks and Monuments. Barb never missed an opportunity to be involved in her daughter’s and grandchildren’s lives, especially their school activities/graduations, plays, sporting events and dance performances.
Family and friends are invited to attend Barb’s Mass of Christian Burial in Queen of the World Church on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Jeffery Noble, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.
Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to Penn Highlands Community Nurses Hospice, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857-3497; American Cancer Society Elk County, 108R North Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830; or to Alzheimer’s Association, 1128 State Street, Suite 301, Erie, PA 16501-1920.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.