Obituary of Vanessa Kathleen Barnes

Vanessa Kathleen Barnes passed away Tuesday November 19th 2024 Known as Kathy she was born on September 22, 1951 in Oswego, NY, she was the daughter of the late George Gillman and Frances Mabelle Taber. Kathy graduated from Margaretville High School in 1969. She was a horse owner growing up in New Kingston, NY. In her teens she was an avid 4H equine barrel and rescue competitor. On July 13, 1969 she married New York State Trooper Gene Barnes of Groton, NY. They had two children Brett (1970), and Derek (1973). Kathy worked throughout the mid 70s in breaking the glass ceiling to police work. She took and scored well on multiple tests up to and through her hiring as a dispatcher/matron at the Cortland Sherriff's Department. She soon after in 1979 was hired as the first female uniform police officer for the City of Cortland. During her time at the Cortland PD she rose from patrolman to Detective Seargent. She was awarded County Lawman of the Year award in 1989. She assisted in major investigations with multiple departments including the Cortland County Drug Taskforce and the NYS Attorney General's office. After retiring from Cortland PD she was a part time patrol officer at Dryden PD and Homer PD. She also served as Seargent/Officer in charge of Dryden PD in 2004. She was a supporter of the SPCA, YWCA, and Zonta. Kathy was a life long member of the United Presbyterian Church. She was active in the Cortland Police Department retirees group as well as the retired Troopers group. Kathy was a softball player in the women's league in Cortland for multiple years. She was a supportive Baseball, Football, Lacrosse, and Ice Hockey Mom. She cherished her time with friends and family and the door was always open to them. Kathy took in many friends of her kids and grandkids as her own. She was always up for a good adventure to someplace new. Later on she was a Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, Basketball, Skiing, and Music Grandmother. Her grandkids were her shining stars and she hardly missed an event they were playing or performing in. It was a rare occasion that she missed a Past my Bedtime show with her son and grandkids. Kathy is survived by her husband Gene Barnes of Cortland; Son Brett Barnes; Grandchildren Harrison, Annie, and Gino; Siblings Jilleen Hoffman (Charles), Bill Russell (Trudy), Linda Metcalf (James), Janet Gillman, George Gillman (Faith), Carrie Sutter (Skip), and Douglas Gillman. Many nieces and nephews, and those kids she called her own. In addition to her parents Kathy is predeceased by her sister Jackie Gillman, brother Jeff Pendell, and her beloved son Derek. Friends are invited to call Monday November 25th from 6-8 pm at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave. Cortland, NY. A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 am Tuesday November 26th at United Presbyterian Church, Cortland, NY. Social Event at the Cortland Elks lodge Groton Ave immediately following ceremony. In Leiu of flowers please consider donation to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, or your Favorite charity in her memory. To offer condolences online visit www.wright-beard.com