Stephanie "Sally" (Rotter) Barney

Mrs. Stephanie “Sally” (Rotter) Barney, age 85, of Utica, passed away on Tuesday, January 02, 2007, at the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, where she has been lovingly attended to by her family during the past weeks. Born in Yorkville, NY on March 17, 1921, Sally was the daughter of the late Stanislaw and Amelia (Kida) Rotter. She was raised and educated locally. On September 14, 1940 at St. Mary’s Church in NY Mills, she was married to Stanley James Barney with whom she shared 29 years until his passing on June 3, 1970. In 1952, after spinal surgery and paralysis, Sally was inspired to donate the first and original statue of St. Jude to the old St. George’s Roman Catholic Church in Utica. At the time, Father Justin Grabowski instituted the annual novenas to St. Jude. Sally’s handicap endowed her with the capacity to know the needs of others, and being an organizer by nature, she directed numerous retreats for handicapped persons to the Dominican Retreat House in Schenectady, NY. Her talent at crafts enabled her to fashion thousands of hand-made rosaries. She was a member of the Handicapped People of the Mohawk Valley, and in 1995 she received the award for ‘Disabled Person of the Year’ in recognition of her inspirational work at various local nursing homes. Sally’s religious faith was the core of her being, and she was blessed with an ability to communicate and empathize with people. She was an original member of Mrs. Heenan’s First Saturday Spiritual Group. A long-time and devoted parishioner of St. Mary’s Church on South Street, Sally will be remembered for the many embroidered and hand sewn outfits she prepared for the Infant of Prague, and baptismal gowns made for the infants of the parish. Sally used her innate artistic ability to express her love and faith in God. She took pride in her ethnic traditions and her homemade pierogi were legendary. She also was an outstanding cook which was memorable to her grandchildren. Sally is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Robert Elinskas, with whom she shared a home. The greatest blessing in her life was her beloved grandchildren who survive her: Robert S. Elinskas of Utica, Daniel Elinskas of New York City, Richard and Cassandra Elinskas of the Albany area, and Suzanne “Sue” and Derrek Spencer of Utica. She also leaves one great-grandchild, Richard Robert Elinskas. Her extended family includes her nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and two godchildren, Christopher Muto, and Linda Jarosz Rogers. She was predeceased by six siblings. The family wishes to thank the staff members Joyce, Doreen, Michelle, Sahi, Kathy, and Chevon of the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center whose care was so meaningful and of great comfort. The special and numerous visits of Father Richard O’Neill will long be remembered. Visitation will be held Wednesday (today) from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Sally’s funeral will commence on Thursday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 at St. Anthony of Padua Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will take place in Holy Trinity Cemetery.

Stephanie "Sally" (Rotter) Barney

March 17, 1921 - January 2, 2007