Mrs. Marilyn Patricia Ganoung Barritt's Obituary
Words to live by - If you cannot buy it in bulk, it's not worth buying. Consider: Marilyn Patricia Ganoung Barritt (you knew her as "Mary Pat"), who finally got the job of her dreams as the lead vocalist in the soprano section of God's choir - an offer she obviously could not refuse. She received the call on Saturday, April 25th, and immediately accepted, knowing her work here was done. Her spirit is carried on by her husband, six children, eleven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two siblings, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life.
We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Mary Pat during her 72 years, among them: Buy in bulk. You can never have enough shower gel, peanut M&M's, hair dye, purses, laundry detergent, or Bibles. Also: Always scrape all of the egg out of the eggshell with your finger, or the recipe will simply not be right. Guinea pigs can (and should) be trained to use a litter box so they can have the run of the house - just be careful before you sit down on the couch. Don't waste money on a therapist when you can always talk to your Avon lady for free. If you haven't finished a project yet, you should focus really hard and - oh wait, that project looks interesting... Let's do that instead. You do not need to learn to play an instrument to own it and appreciate its beauty. But learning to play it should always be your next project. Christmas garland is a year-long decoration. Reba McEntire knows the secrets to the universe and should be emulated whenever and however possible. Book shelves were created to hold 40% Bibles, 40% books about the Bible, and 20% anything by Nora Roberts. Thomas Kincaid's artwork belongs on everything. Learn to sew - period. Dry wall exists only for the purpose of hanging things on the walls and should not otherwise be seen. You need never buy Tupperware... That is why God made Cool Whip and Country Crock in reusable plastic. Expiration dates are merely suggestions. If you find a style you like, buy it in every color. A girl can never have too much jewelry. Write - to everyone, all the time. And make it rhyme. Angels, eagles and Bibles are under-appreciated and should be bought whenever you get the chance. In bulk. And finally, for every moment in life, there is a song - and it should be sung at the top of your lungs.
Mary Pat came singing into this world on April 8, 1943, in Olean, NY. She graduated from Robinson H.S., in Tampa (1961), attended the University of Tampa, and then graduated from the University of Florida (1965). She was a professional singer and sang proudly and beautifully in churches all her life, most recently bringing her angelic sound to Calvary Chapel for the last 15 years. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren whose life stories she would share with every prospective friend who would listen: Jerry (adoring husband and best friend for 30 years); children Shawn (wife Melissa, children Taylor, Morgan and Nicholas); Shannon (husband Greg, children Cassidy and Tye); Kevin (wife Jessie and children Abagail, Shelby, and Cheyenne); Mark; April (husband Jason, son Jacob); and Dominique (husband Jon, daughter Eva, whom Mary Pat has joined in Heaven, and soon-to-be born baby boy); siblings Paul ("Pug"), and Jeff (wife Janet); and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.
We cannot possibly begin to understand why things happen when they do. But one thing we know for certain - God's choir just got a whole lot better.
Funeral service for Mary Pat will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 1:00 PM, at Memorial Park Funeral Home located at 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33709. Following the service, please join Mary Pat’s family for a reception in her memory at the Vendome Clubhouse, 8200 Vendome Blvd, Pinellas Park, 33781 (right off 82nd Ave. N.). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.
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