Jane Munro Barrett’s life began in Newton on September 14, 1935. She passed away in Concord on April 3, 2025, at the age of 89.
Jane met Bill Barrett when she was 16 years old in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and was married to Bill for almost 70 years, living a life with love that was inspirational to all who knew them.
Bill, also known as Charlie, still lives in Concord, where they raised their four children. Betsy and Steve Farley have two children, Cassie and Alex, and live in Wolfeboro. Ann and Tom Trudeau live in Concord and have Tom, Jacquelyn, and Andrew. Bill Barrett (III) is married to Amy, who continues to work for the Barrett Real Estate office, now a part of Sotheby’s. They have three children: Brittany, Max, and Allie. Jen and Pete Churchill now live in North Carolina near their twins, Becca and Cole.
Jane graduated from Abbot Academy and then spent a year at Dartmouth College, not as a student, but as the wife of senior Bill Barrett. She eventually got her degree from Wellesley College.
In 1978, Jane started her business, J.M. Barrett & Co., Inc. By 2000, Barrett & Co. was the largest independent brokerage office in the area. Jane was known for her love of the area, her straightforward approach, and her determination to live by the highest professional standards.
She was noted for her energy and drive. Despite a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Jane continued to work and enjoy her bike trips until the last few years of her life, when Alzheimer’s slowed her down.
At the age of 75, Jane biked from Florida to California. This trip was followed by two other multi-state rides covering almost every state and including Washington, D.C., to which she rode at age 80 with her 10 grandchildren. Together with Bill and the “Concord Bikers,” they rode in over 20 countries.
Jane loved her family, she loved Bill, her huge Munro clan, her children and their spouses and all her grandchildren, with the partners they brought into the family. She loved Christmas, boxers, sitting in the sun, chocolate chip cookies, and Sunday night dinners.
Jane made the best chocolate sauce. She also hand-knit Christmas stockings and sweaters, needlepointed belts, and always came up with a new crafty idea for gifts. We love our vegetable-painted step ladders.
Jane served as the first woman president of the Rotary Club of Concord. She also was president of the Concord Chamber of Commerce.
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Jane at her memorial service at 11 a.m, May 17, 2025in the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane’s name for research to:
The Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter, 320 Nevada Street, Newton MA 02460 or alz.org/manh/about?form=FUNDHYMMBXU.
Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home.
