Melaney Ann Barnes

It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life well-lived that we announce the passing of Melaney Ann Barnes, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, who entered into eternal rest on June 3, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on September 4, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Melaney touched the lives of many with her warmth, humor, and love for the arts.

Melaney devoted many years to her profession as an Executive Secretary at Procter & Gamble, from which she retired in September 1995. Those who had the pleasure of knowing her recognized her remarkable ability to balance professionalism with a jovial spirit. Her laughter resonated throughout her family’s home, serving as the medicine that brightened even the darkest days.

A passionate aficionado of music and the performing arts, Melaney found joy and inspiration in every note and narrative. She delighted in all forms of performance, with a particular fondness for opera. Her enthusiasm for the colorful humor of comedians filled her days with laughter, and her favorite color, yellow, embodied her vibrant spirit. She was the Queen of Clichés.

Melaney is survived by her cherished spouse, Clyde Barnes; her beloved daughter, Eva Brunetto; her son Mark (Heidi) Barnes; her daughter-in-law, Jill Taylor, her grandchildren, Alex, Angelina, Isaac, Ivy, Andrew, and Adam; and her brother, John Joseph (Juliana) Cioffi. Each of them carries a piece of her legacy forward, enriched by the love and joy she imparted.

Melaney was preceded in death by her parents, John and Antoinette Cioffi and her son David Barnes.

In her memory, a Visitation will take place at the Arlington Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 2155 Compton Road, 45231 (follow the blue line upon entering the memorial park) on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 12:30 PM. Service at 1:30 PM and Graveside at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Melaney’s name to The Cincinnati May Festival at Cincinnati’s Music Hall, honoring her love for performance and her belief in the power of music to uplift spirits. As we reflect on Melaney’s life, we celebrate her unwavering passion for music, her joyful heart, and her treasured moments with those she loved. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered in our hearts.