Barnett, Meed
19 May 2026
(artist, chorister, and activist)
The family of Meed Wetterau Barnett regrets to announce their passing, into whatever adventure follows this life.
Meed was born in New York, New York, in 1944 to Alan “Tamey” Wetterau and (Ethel) Cary Moncure. At age 5 they moved to upstate New York, where life centered on the vibrant artists’ community of 1950s Woodstock. There, Meed was surrounded by teachers and mentors of all kinds, so that although “home life” was a moving target, Meed became an accomplished painter and sculptor and a NY Board of Regents Scholar by the age of 18.
After short sojourns in Gainesville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, where Meed got involved with the Civil Rights movement, they returned to Rochester, New York, and then attended SUNY Buffalo. There, Meed studied English and Indonesian, before completing a Master’s degree in Honolulu in 1973. After more travels, including a short time living in Jakarta, Meed took a position teaching English to Hmong refugees, and moved to co-op housing in West Philadelphia. Soon, a young engineering student named Bob Barnett applied to join the household. The co-op didn’t go for him, but Meed did! They married in 1981 and moved to Southern New Jersey, where Bob took up a career with the FAA that would span 35 years. Their child Cobalt was born there in 1982.
The years in South Jersey brought many new connections: Quakerism, the arts communities of Ocean City and Millville, coffeehouse nights, John Bate’s Masterworks choir, and a folk singing collective that met monthly for nearly 40 years. However, Meed always hoped to return to a more northerly climate, and in 2016, their sights were set still farther north: to Canada! Meed and Bob made their home in the Ottawa Valley in 2018, and took their pledge to the Queen in 2022. They began leading a multi-generational Hootenanny in Almonte. When COVID prevented this, they started a weekly online singalong that continued for 295 sessions. Meed had formed immediate and fast friendships here in Almonte, and only wished to have longer to enjoy them.
Sudden illness in October shortened these plans. Since then, Meed has performed twice more with the Canadian Centennial Choir, enjoyed hosting friends and neighbors for the celebration of Cobalt’s wedding to Jeroen Nijman and Maryline Desirest, and hosted an intimate house performance by jazz combo the Brindled Cats. One of Meed’s greatest wishes is that their story will continue to be told, and they have set down many chronicles and memories during this time that we hope to bring to print soon.
Those wishing to commemorate Meed are encouraged to support the Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative, the Almonte General Hospital Foundation, or Home Hospice North Lanark. Meed’s life and good times were also greatly extended by blood products from Canadian Blood Services. We are endlessly grateful to the many anonymous donors who gave us this most precious gift.
Funeral Arrangements Entrusted Into The Care Of
C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc.
(127 Church St., Almonte, ON 613-256-3313)
Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com
