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Stephen Andre Barnett of Upper Darby and Broomall, PA passed away on July 26, 2024 in Bryn Mawr, PA at the age of 73. Born April 27, 1951 in Philadelphia, the second son of Isa and Annette Barnett, he spent his first three years in the Germantown section of the city. The family relocated to what was a very rural Broomall in 1954 purchasing a farmhouse with a barn, chicken coop, and an abundance of fruit trees. His father, Isa, an artist and instructor at the Philadelphia College of Art, converted the barn into his studio filling it with artist's supplies along with his collection of ethnographic artifacts, primarily Native American, instilling in his son a life long passion for art and cultures of all kind. Several years later his mother, Annette, took over the first floor of the barn opening Miss Annette's Creative Preschool where again, the importance of art, world cultures and the joy of learning influenced Stephen and the future direction of his life. Early family vacations including his two brothers, Ivan and Andre, were spent at Long Beach Island or driving throughout the Southwest United States and then heading down into Mexico to Oaxaca, again contributing to his interest in peoples of other cultures. After Stephen graduated from Marple Newtown High School in 1969, he enrolled at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM majoring in anthropology. Excelling in his studies, he was given a grant to study anthropology anywhere of his choice in the world. So at 19 years of age, Stephen flew off to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea becoming the first American student attending the University of Papua New Guinea. As part of his studies, his Papuan roommate, Michael Somare, invited him to spend time with his family and the rest of the Kum Nogupa people up in the mountainous Eastern highlands in Mount Hagen where he conducted field research living in his own thatched hut totally immersed in the traditional culture. Eating sweet potatoes, freshly killed pig cooked over an open fire, bathing in a river, the warmth and generosity of the people, Stephen loved it all and the Kum Nogupa people loved him initiating him into their tribe by tatooing “Kum Nogupa” on his arm and choosing a 10 year old bride for him! After a year in New Guinea and traveling through Australia, Hong Kong, India, Israel and Spain, he returned home with a load of New Guinea artifacts which began his career self employed in the ethnographic art business selling antique Oceanic and African artifacts and eventually, Native American art. In 1975 Stephen met his wife, Janice, through his father while she attended the Wallingford Art Center. She had just graduated from college majoring in anthropology, double minoring in Latin American history and ceramics, and had just returned from travels throughout Mexico. Realizing their shared love of cultures, art, history, travel, antiques, hiking through the wonders of nature, swimming in the ocean, music of all kinds especially Bob Dylan, and a deep love of all animals, they were married in 1980. Although Stephen struggled throughout his life with mental health issues, he always sought the support he needed to try to maintain some balance in his life allowing them to pursue all the interests they loved. Stephen will be remembered for his sweet smile, his spontaneity, humor, his openness and friendliness to everyone combined with a hug, a kiss or a handshake, his generosity, his expressions of gratefulness to all who helped him, his joy in chatting on the phone and of course, his continued display of love for his family and all of his cats. Stephen is survived by his wife, Janice, his brothers, Andre of Media, PA, and Ivan of Santa Fe, NM, his brother in law, Ken Boutilier of Havertown and his beloved cat, Buddy. A graveside service will be conducted on August 8, 2024 at 11:00 am at Philadelphia Memorial Park, 124 Phoenixville Pike, Frazer, PA 19355. Light refreshments will follow at Charlotte's Restaurant, 3207 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073. In celebration of Stephen's life, Janice is requesting that attendees wear any color other than black. Honoring Stephen's love of all animals but especially the big cats, donations may be sent to the Cape May County Zoo (website is: cmczoo.com).

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Stephen Andre Barnett

April 27, 1951 - July 26, 2024