Emily Ann Barnes was a daughter of the American Heartland.

She was born on August 12, 1951, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Emily attended All Saints School, the same 80-year-old elementary school her mother had once walked through as a girl. Her parents stressed the importance of reading and writing to Emily and her older brother, Jack, and she made good use of those gifts throughout her life — including editing the newspaper at Santa Barbara City College.

Eureka was home for Emily’s last 25 years. She worked as a Psych Eval nurse for Humboldt County, a job that suited her steady, caring nature. She made friends easily and came to love her adopted home of Eureka.

Into each life some rain must fall, and Emily was slowly robbed of her memory, suffering from dementia. Many thanks to Alder Bay, Especially You,  Safe Planners, and to Hospice of Humboldt for the friendship, love, and support they have given her over the last six years.

Emily died on July 3, 2026. She is survived by her brother, Jack Barnes, and her sister, Beth Canfield.

Rest in peace, dear sister.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Emily Barnes’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.