Barnes was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and lived in Monson, Massachusetts until her family relocated to Old Saybrook, Connecticut, in 1962. She went to Old Saybrook Senior High School for her high school education. Later, she attended Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, to complete her A.A. in Liberal Arts in May 1972. Barnes attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, to complete her B.S in Physical Therapy in May 1976. During her BS education, she played a leadership role in student clubs and organizations. Later, Barnes earned her M.S in Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis in May 1998. She completed her Ph.D. from the Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, Ohio, in Arts and Sciences in May 2009.Kathleen Hildreth Barnes.
