Chelyne Anne Barney

Chelyne Anne Barney 1949 – 2015

A memorial service for Chelyne Anne Barney, 66, will be held in the chapel of Edmond's Matthews Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on August 3rd, 2015. Her cremains will be interred in the Barney family plot at Edmond's Gracelawn Cemetery immediately following the memorial service. She was born July 19, 1949, and died on July 29th, 2015, at the family's Edmond home.

Chelyne was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2005. Even so, her unique spirit and vivacious personality gave her the strength to defy the odds. She continued to enjoy her favorite activities for 10 years following her initial diagnosis. She was surrounded by an unwavering support network of friends, family and physicians that helped carry her through every chemotherapy imaginable, rarely if ever complaining or asking "Why me?" Her will to live, faith in God and refusal to give up will always be remembered. She was an inspiration to those around her and will be greatly missed.

Chelyne was born on July 19, 1949, in Milwaukee, WI, to John Haesle and Marise Haesle, who predeceased her. She grew up in Wausau, WI as the oldest of four children. While her Mom and Dad tended to the family grocery store business, Chelyne was always a willing caregiver for her siblings. They remember her as a gorgeous red head with a temper to go with it, and a flair for style she developed at an early age. The family later moved to Pampa, TX and opened an A&M Root Beer Stand where all of the siblings worked. A graduate of Pampa High School in the late 60's, she adored The Beatles. She graduated from West Texas State University in the early 70's.

Chelyne moved to Edmond, OK from San Antonio, TX in 1980. Along with being a dedicated homemaker and mother she was active at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, played local competitive tennis and worked for several years in the Oak Tree tennis pro shop.

Chelyne later went back to school in the early 90's and finished her Masters degree in Speech Therapy at the University of Central Oklahoma. She became a licensed speech therapist and counselor, and worked in both the Stroud and Chandler school systems.  It is not uncommon even now to come across somebody whose child was helped by Chelyne in one way or another.

Chelyne loved her work, her students and her family and friends deeply. Her ability to care for others seemed infinite, asking family and friends what she could do for them up until her last moments.

Chelyne had many hobbies and activities, and a deep love for dogs and cats, taking many of both into her home over the years. She was always active in one way or another, from tennis, skiing and running, to Pilates, yoga and, in later life, traveling. She was always moving, always energetic and always looking forward to each day.

Chelyne and Bryan Barney married July 13, 2001, and made their home in Edmond. She is survived by her husband, Bryan Barney, of the home; her son Jordan Flaniken, wife Megan and son Sam of Edmond; three step-children, Aaron Barney and Laura Barney of Edmond; Jennifer French, husband Corey and children John and Kalia of Kihei, Hi; two brothers, John Haesle and wife Lelet of Pampa, Tx; David Haesle and wife Carol of Argyle, Tx ; sister Irene Chomicki and husband Joe of Waxahachie, Tx, and mother-in-law Marjorie Anderson of Edmond. Also by Molly, Chelyne's therapy dog and beloved companion for 10 years, and by Snowy the cat, a.k.a. Noey.

There were many friends, neighbors and family members that came to Chelyne's aid, but the family would especially like to thank Lelet Haesle and David Haesle for their loving care throughout her last days; Dr. Michael J. Keefer, oncologist; the staff at Mercy Hospital Cancer Care Center for their constant, attentive and many times inventive treatments; Mercy Hospice; St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Edmond's Matthews Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in Chelyne's name at www.bcrfcure.org .