Alice Marston Barney

We are saddened to announce the passing of Alice Marston Barney, who died in her sleep on April 30, 2025. She is survived by her husband, Lt. Col (Ret) Keith Richard Barney Jr, their children Keith Barney III, Frances Barney Knutsen and Anson Marston Barney, and three grandchildren, Olivia and Charlotte Knutsen (daughters of Frances and Rick Knutsen), and Nicholas Barney (son of Lisa and Anson Barney). Alice is also survived by her sister Lucy Carruthers and Lucy’s son Glendon Gross, Lucy's daughter Susanna Gross and son-in-law Frank Evans, and Lucy's daughter Katheryn Hinkle and son-law-Carlton Hinkle. Alice was born July 15, 1935 to Virginia Hibbard and Anson Day Marston in Kansas City, Missouri. She, her mother and her younger sister Lucy traveled with their family following their father’s career in the Army Corps of Engineers. While their father was away during WWII, Alice and Lucy lived with their mother on the campus of Iowa State University, where their grandfather had been the first Dean of Engineering in what is now named Marston Hall. Alice graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, Virginia, then continued to Iowa State University and University of Minnesota where she first developed an interest in the burgeoning field of computer science, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Mathematics. After college she entered the workforce, including stints at IBM, the Minnesota Highway Department and Offutt Airforce Base in Omaha. In Omaha, Col. Anson Marston worked closely with Major General Keith Barney in the Army Corps of Engineers Rivers and Harbors Division, and the two families became good friends. In December 1961, Alice sent a Christmas card to General Barney’s wife, and Keith Barney Jr answered the card in January. By July of 1962, Alice and Keith Barney Jr were married.Alice and Keith Jr settled in a new development in Springfield, Virginia, and she began working as a Computer Systems Analyst for the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), with offices just a few minutes away from their house while Keith pursued a teaching career. They had three children, Keith III, Frances and Anson. In 1972, Alice was selected for the prestigious “COMSI” leadership development program in the Commerce Department that involved specialized training and travel. Within that program, she traveled to California where she met with Diane Feinstein early in her political career and to New Orleans, where she traveled in a helicopter to visit an oil rig, among other adventures.Following the completion of the COMSI Program, Alice returned to NTIS where she served for 37 years before departing for the private sector. She worked another 7 years at GEICO before finally retiring. For the last few years of her life, Alice lived in the Spring Hills Mount Vernon assisted living facility.Alice was an avid reader, gardener, knitter and classical guitar player. She was proud of her children and her cherry tomatoes. She loved animals, most especially cats. A celebration of her life will be held at Advent Funeral & Cremation Services, 7211 Lee Highway, Fall Church, VA 22046, on Thursday May 8th at 9am. The funeral service will also be available online at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/f25059321271880.  A graveside service will follow at Quantico National Cemetery at 11:00am. We invite those that knew her to join us as we honor Alice's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Patriot Pawsabilities or online to the ASPCA.