Claire Lombardi Barrett

Claire Lombardi Barrett, wife of Col. Robert W. ‘Bob’ Barrett (Ret.), passed quietly into the loving arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of Friday, November 21, 2025, at Oak Tree Manor in Amory, Mississippi. Claire was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to Ralph and Mary Lombardi on June 14, 1943. She spent her formative years in Rutherford, NJ where she graduated from St. Mary’s High School. She continued her education at Jersey City Medical Center School of Nursing where she became a Registered Nurse. She joined the U.S. Army and spent time at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco before being sent to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Viet Nam in 1967. That is where she met the love of her life, Bob, who was medical evacuation helicopter pilot and they were married on August 3, 1968, when they returned home from Viet Nam. The Army saw fit to send them to Camp Zama, Japan for a two-year honeymoon. Then they spent over 29 years moving around the world while Bob was on active duty.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Richard, Ralph, and Michael, and one sister, Patricia Pike.

She is survived by her husband, Bob, of more than 58 years; two sons, Robert, Jr. ‘Bobby’ and wife, Bobbi Sue of Maumelle, AR and John and wife, Amee and their three beautiful daughters, Kayla, Kinsey, and Keely of St. Louis, MO; and a sister-in-law, Leona Lombardi of New Jersey; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Claire loved to cook and was wonderful at her love. She will be remembered most for her wonderful spaghetti and fried rice, which she learned to cook while in Japan. Her greatest loves were her family and friends. She and Bob made many trips in their motor home with friends, calling themselves “The Rolling Bulldogs” as they followed Mississippi State sports nationwide. She ended her career by retiring from the Longest Student Health Center and Mississippi State University where she was a registered nurse. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and relatives and will always be remembered for her Viet Nam service to our Nation.

A memorial service will be held in her honor at First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Lannis May officiating. A private family interment to follow at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. 

Visitation will be at the church prior to service from 12:30 pm until the service hour.

Memorials be sent to the Aberdeen Loaves and Fishes or to a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be shared with the family at tisdalelannmemorialfh.com