Patricia "Pat" Barnes was the wife of Bob Barnes and mother of Des and Colin.
Bob and Pat lived in Hartlepool where they raised their children. In 1994, Des was posted to Newcastle with work for three weeks and stayed with his parents, taking the opportunity to invite his girlfriend Raquel Wolstenhulme and introduce her to them. Shortly afterwards Raquel suggested inviting the couple to a birthday party she was organising for Des as it was only a three-hour journey on the train but Des pointed out that this was a long journey to his parents who had hardly ever set foot out of Hartlepool.
In November 1998, Bob and Pat did visit Weatherfield under more sombre circumstances, to attend Des's funeral after he was killed when trying to protect his stepson Tony Horrocks from a group of thugs he owed money to. They were shocked when Colin made a scene at the funeral and apologised to Des's new wife Natalie for his behaviour at the wake before returning home.