FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2015, file photo, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, administers a ceremonial re-enactment of the House oath-of-office to Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., accompanied by his wife Eleanor Carol Leavell on Capitol Hill in Washington. Eleanor Carol Leavell died unexpectedly in the family’s home Tuesday night at the age of 39, news outlets reported. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)
June 19, 2020 - 4:57 AM
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A funeral service for the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who died unexpectedly this week at the age of 39, will be held Monday in Kentucky.
Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr will be laid to rest at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, a day after a visitation service for her in the city. Her husband, who expressed his “profound grief” over her death this week said on Twitter that the services will be “a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.”
The family is requiring social distancing and masks for those planning to attend the visitation service at Christ Church Cathedral and the funeral, the announcement for the services said. People who don’t feel comfortable attending due to the coronavirus pandemic can stream the funeral service on YouTube, the announcement said.
Barr died of natural causes from a heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse on Tuesday at the family’s home in Lexington, the Fayette County coroner’s office said in a preliminary autopsy report. The family is encouraging “friends and admirers” to remember her with contributions to The American Heart Association.
Condolences for her death flowed in this week, including from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.
She grew up in the state, attended the University of Kentucky, and married Andy Barr in 2008. The couple went on to have two children. She had worked for Pfizer, and as the executive director of Lexington’s Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship.
Her husband represents Kentucky’s 6th District, which includes the cities of Lexington, Richmond and Frankfort.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020