Elizabeth E. “Betty” (Danis) Barnes, 86

Elizabeth E. “Betty” (Danis) Barnes, 86, of Haverhill, passed away Friday, May 13, at  Merrimack Valley Hospice House with her family by her side.

She was born in Haverhill, March 17, 1930, daughter of the late Oliver J. and Bernice M. (Hanson) Danis. She loved to work in the garden, and especially loved flowers and enjoyed making and giving floral arrangements to family and friends. She was always involved with crafts of various kinds and, in her later years, she developed a passion for oil painting. As a younger woman, she enjoyed popular dances and could dance a Jitterbug that would turn heads. Later, she excelled at bowling and belonged to several bowling leagues. For many years, she was an active fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. Barnes enjoyed traveling and, with her husband Ralph, traveled to Hawaii a number of times. During their early retirement years, they spent winters in Clearwater, Fla., and became active members of their community.

Barnes is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ralph R. Barnes Jr.; children Cheryl A. and her husband John Salvi of Haverhill, Ralph M. Barnes and his wife Susan Gould of Haverhill, Cynthia M. and her husband Nathan Clark of Gilmanton, N.H., and Lisa C. and her husband Michael Williams of Bradford; sister Carol E. Silvio of Haverhill; grandchildren John, Alyssa, Eric, Brandon, Meagan, Casey, Melanie and Lindsay; 14 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Robert J., Rhoda J. Hammond, Oliver J. Jr., Nellie C. Galli, and Dorothy L. Simpson.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours Tuesday, May 17, from 4 to 7 p.m., at H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St. Haverhill. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, May 18, at 11 a.m., at the funeral home. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Haverhill.