Barbara Hebert Magruder

Barbara Clare Hebert Magruder of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023. She was 89. Barbara was the daughter of the late Dean and Mrs. Paul Macarius Hebert Sr. of Baton Rouge. She is survived by her daughters Alice (Michael) Laing, Barbara "Barbee" (Woody) Crews, Catherine "Katie" (Michael) Gilly, and Desirée Magruder; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother Paul M. (Mary Jane) Hebert Jr.; and sister Mary (Charles) McCowan. She was preceded in death by her former husband Benjamin Lloyd Magruder. Barbara (known to family and friends as "Baboo") loved life and lived it to the fullest. She never waited until she was old to start wearing purple, and especially enjoyed pairing it with gold (and green). She raised her girls in New Orleans near Audubon Park, and the house was where all the neighborhood kids congregated. She was often arranging outings and hosting impromptu gatherings for the neighborhood, including picnics, baseball games, ferry rides, and trips to the river to roll down the levee. Barbara loved tennis and was also an avid bridge player, sports enthusiast, fisherman, lover of music and art, gardener, reader, and admirer of antiques. She was a magpie at heart and collected "treasures," ranging from stamps to Beanie Babies, doubloons, old restaurant menus, and playing cards. She volunteered her time in support of numerous organizations, though none was dearer to her than the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau. She also loved and supported her other alma mater, Louisiana State University, as an alumna and ardent fan. There was nothing that Barbara could not do once she put her mind to it (and nothing that could sway her once she had made it up). She wore many hats, some harder than others, and enjoyed moonlighting as a construction "superintendent" if there was a grandchild's swing set to be put together that required some "expert" direction. She cherished Carnival and was always creative when dealing with the dilemmas of parking and bathrooms. She loved animals-especially dogs-and was a savior to the many that she rescued from the streets. Later in life she would chauffer older lady friends (whom she affectionately referred to as her "Gerries") to back-alley bridge games, oyster nights at local restaurants, and LSU football watch parties. Baboo was one of a kind and often (quite literally) sang to her own tune, sometimes off beat, but always defiantly her own. She had a knack for revealing the deceptions of the supposedly ordinary in ways that few can. Many walks were made more remarkable; birdcalls sweeter; and life weirder and more wonderful with the magic and care she invested into all that she did. She will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her. Please privately celebrate Barbara's memory in your own ways, and in lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau or to your favorite charity.