Barbara Jean Marino

Barbara Marino went home to be with the lord at age 83 on January 8th, 2025. She was born on August 25, 1941 and preceded in death by her parents Francis Katherine Williams and Charles Plumb. She is survived by her sister Carolyn Duke, her daughter, Cindy Stewart and her husband Steve Stewart, her son Mark Peters and his wife Chris Peters, and her son Robert Peters, Jr., and his wife, Adrienne Peters. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Zack Stewart, Camron Stewart, Clayton Stewart, Hailey Peters, Ryan Peters, Brady Peters and Kayla Peters.

To know Barbara was to love Barbara. She was beautiful inside and out and a strong person of Faith. Her infectious personality put all around her at ease and her great sense of fun brought laughter and joy to those who spent time with her. Barbara was raised in Houston, Texas and attended South Houston high school before attending the University of Houston. There she met and fell in love with her first husband Robert "Bob" Peters, Sr.. They married and built a family together that became the center of her universe for decades. Barbara's home in Inwood Forest quickly became a neighborhood hub for activity for both friends and those friends of the kids who soon became her extended family. She truly loved both her family and her extended family who stayed involved in her life long after leaving Inwood Forrest.

Barbara married her second husband, J.C. Marino in 1991 and spent nearly 25 years together prior to J.C.'s death in 2006. These years were some of the happiest years of Barbara's life. She worked as an interior designer and travel agent. Together with J.C., she traveled within the U.S. and abroad, visiting Greece and Italy, among other countries. A Houston Cougars fan, she adopted J.C.'s beloved Texas A&M Aggies as her own, and became an avid Aggie fan and attended football games in College Station. She was adopted by all of her children's close friends as a mother. She helped serve her community by volunteering with the various organizations and always would offer her anything in her car or last dollar to any distressed person in need. During this time, she also became a grandmother and the legend of Nini began.

Barbara adored her grandchildren. Affectionately known as "Nini" or “Nay Nay”, Barbara was a fixture in their lives. She attended numerous games, matches, performances and special events. Even as the grandchildren grew and moved away, Barbara kept in constant contact, texting and calling to talk, share a laugh and for them, to know her love. Her grandchildren loved to spend time with her and loved her more than words can describe. Their lunches and fireside chats will be remembered and shared with their families for years to come.

Barbara also treasured her friends. They say the measure of a persons worth on earth is their actions and friends they hold. The family is forever grateful to her friends who constantly supported and loved her throughout the years. Their friendship meant so much to her. During her later years, Barbara suffered from health problems, but always remained positive, resilient and reliant on her faith. Her friend’s as she called her “girls” group was massive and so unbelievably supportive. Barbara never ended a conversation without saying, "I love you," and she knew, without a doubt, that her family and friends loved her, too.

The family is holding a memorial service mass for Barbara on Friday, January 17th at 11:15 in the Our Lady of the Angles Chapel at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in the Woodlands followed Celebration of Life at the Black Walnut and final graveside service at Forest Park Lawndale.