On October 4, 1940, Marianne Theresa Barbour, our amazing sister, was born as the first child of Mary Louise and Jim Barbour in Providence Hospital in Washington, DC. Marianne died peacefully of pneumonia on April 22, 2021. She is survived by five siblings: Tom Barbour (Peggy); Kay Barbour Wolfe; Claire Barbour Loftus (Michael); John Barbour (Jessica); Jane Barbour Norris (Rod) and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and cousins.
Marianne lived her life as a high functioning, special needs person, and through her perseverance and determination, overcame many obstacles. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school in Bethesda, MD, through the fifth grade. She then resided at St. Gertrude’s school where she learned to read and write and was prepared to find her way in the world.
A great example of her perseverance and determination was earning her GED after thirteen attempts! Her first job was an Assistant on a school bus where she helped handicapped children board and deboard the bus. The children loved Marianne because she had a special connection to them due to her own limitations. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy initiated a program which enabled Marianne to apply for employment by the Federal government (Health and Human Services, formerly Health, Education and Welfare). She was successful in doing so and proved to be an extremely hard worker, frequently earning the title “Employee of the Year.” Her career spanned 40 years and when she retired, the head of her Department had to replace her with 3 employees!
Marianne possessed many talents. She was an accomplished knitter and crocheter and would often donate baby sweaters, hats and booties to Catholic Charities and programs for unwed mothers. She loved photography and enrolled in a photography class at Montgomery College where she earned a B+, and for many years she was our family photographer having mastered the art very well. She also entered her photographs in the Montgomery County Fair and was very proud of herself on several occasions when she was recognized with 1st, 2nd or 3rd place by the judges. She enjoyed being part of a bowling league and won many trophies throughout the years.
One of Marianne’s pleasures in life was reading and she was seldom seen without a book when at leisure. Her favorite authors were Danielle Steele and Nora Roberts. Another favorite pastime of hers was being with her nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews, who loved her very much. She would shower all of them with gifts and enjoyed taking them to the zoo, museums and places of their choice. However, in spite of all her talents, interests and loves, she was best known for her delight in the game of BINGO! She attended BINGO twice weekly and was definitely a frequent winner. Marianne continued to play BINGO up until the last couple of years of her life and looked forward to each and every game!
In 2005, Marianne suffered a stroke which changed her life. She could still enjoy many activities she loved, but she could no longer drive. Friends would take her to BINGO and picked her up at Raphael House, an Assisted Living facility in Rockville, MD, where she lived for the next 5 years. In 2010, Marianne moved to Florida, where her sister, Kay, became her companion and devoted caregiver to the day she passed. She took her to BINGO twice a week and visited her at the Assisted Living facility several times a week. Kay and Marianne had eight fun years of dinners out and BINGO, but the last two years were very difficult. It was tough to go through the pandemic this past year, not being able to see her in person, except through a glass door. She tested positive for COVID-19, but was asymptomatic. She beat the disease easily, but then succumbed to pneumonia. She passed away peacefully with Kay, her angel, by her side. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her, but we believe she’s having fun playing BINGO in Heaven!
A Memorial service for Marianne is planned in Florida for the immediate family. In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to Alzheimer’s Research. https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org
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