Morgan Hill resident Marie Louise Barrett (Grosslein) passed on March 9th, 2011. Born on February 21st, 1920, Marie grew up in Minneapolis, moving to Morgan Hill in 1936. In high school, she met her future husband Harvey Bradford Barrett (deceased, 1986) whose family ranch was “just through the orchard” from the Grosslein ranch.
Along with her sister Adelaide, Marie went through nurse’s training at the old O’Connor Hospital in San Jose. They both joined the Army Air Corps the day after Pearl Harbor at the onset of World War II, as lieutenants. Marie served as chief surgical nurse at March Field, a training air base in Southern California. Harvey was stationed in England in the Army Air Corps. Both Marie and Harvey served for the duration of the war and then the Live Oak High School sweethearts married and had six children; John, Patrick, Mary Ann (deceased, 1952), Thomas, Kathleen and David.
Returning to her medical career in the early 1960’s, Marie worked as a county public health nurse, convalescent hospital administrator, orthopedic nurse, and utilization review nurse. She earned the nickname “Super Nurse” from her family after saving the life of a woman whose car was struck by a train. In all aspects of her life – career, friends and especially, family – she was known for her kindness and compassion.
She leaves behind her five children and their spouses; Susan (John), Gail (Patrick), Toni (Thomas), and Peter (David), as well as five grandchildren; Brandi, Christopher, Jessica, Patrick and Jamie, a great grandson Spencer and her devoted caregiver and friend Nimfa Pedrasa.
A celebratory mass will take place at St. Catherine’s Church in Morgan Hill at 10:00 A.M., Friday, March 18th, 2011. Burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Morgan Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to March Field Air Museum by calling 951-902-5949.
