Linda L. Barrett, who worked in dining service at the College for more than 35 years, died March 4 at the age of 60. A resident of Mount Vernon, she started working at the College in 1985.
Born June 8, 1963, in Columbus to the late Virgil and Bonnie Louise (Wray) Denney, Barrett grew up in Bladensburg, Ohio, and attended East Knox High School.
For Barrett, working on campus was a family affair. It’s where she met her husband, Arlen, who retired from food service during the pandemic. And it’s where her son, Chase; sister, Ruthie Knoff; and niece, April McDonald, continue to work at Peirce Hall in various capacities.
Most recently, Barrett worked in the dishroom. Her sister said that she enjoyed Kenyon students as well as the ritual of walking out every day with Knoff and McDonald.
“It was really good having everyone together,” Knoff said. “It will be strange with her not being there.”
Theresa Ewers, office manager for AVI Fresh at Kenyon, said that Barrett was a model employee.
“She was super sweet,” Ewers said. “Always polite, always pleasant.”
A quiet woman who enjoyed spending time with her family — especially her grandson, Kash — Barrett also loved flowers and gardening, animals, and listening to music.
“She was definitely the type that was more worried about other people than herself,” her son said. “She was an amazing woman.”
Barrett is survived by her husband of nearly 38 years, Arlen Barrett; her son, Chase Barrett; her brothers, Raymond (Jean Ann) Mount, Wade Denney, Steve Denney; her sisters, Ruthie (Neil) Knoff and Terry (Ken) Schuhart; and one grandson.
Her family will have a private gathering at a later date.