Our deepest condolences to Barbara's family and friends.  May the warm memories of happy times comfort you all during this time of reflection and feeling of deep loss.
Dot, Steve & Val Bourgeois

She saw my secret anguish and lifted me up out of my doubt when I was weakest.  I never asked for or expected her understanding and support but she gave me comfort and strength.  I never spoke of it again, not even to her, but she knew I remembered in my smile and hugs.  When I first met her I was afraid of her.  How ironic that she helped me conquer my fear.

"She lives in us!"  and she will be remembered as we remember her with the love of theatre....

Gay M. Lustig

Since 1970, while attending Lake Worth High School, I had become aware of an outstanding Drama Teacher at Forest Hill High School.  The first show of hers that I saw was "Once Upon A Mattress", and although I had not met or did not know her then, I knew enough people that did, to feel that I somehow had a connection with her, even if just a very small and distant one.  
Over 30 years later, after I had met my Partner, Michael Coppola, I had the pleasure of meeting this dynamic woman.  I had never been so nervous about meeting anyone in my life.  We instantly became fast friends and she was always there to listen and give freely of her wisdom and opinion.  Barbara gave me some of the best advice and encouragement I have ever received from anybody.  
She was Family, and being such, will always occupy a large space in my heart and will frequently direct and light up my thoughts.  Her voice and laughter play like music in my mind.  And when it all gets to be too much, I will do as she instructed.  I will go to my room, shut the door, bury my face in my pillow and SCREAM!  It doesn't change a damn thing, but sure makes you feel a Hell of a lot better.  
I love and miss you Barbara.  You will always be with me.

Barbara was one of the warmest and most supportive people I have ever known. She always was willing to lend a hand to a friend, to family, to the theatre. I have such vivid memories of her: the day we painted the floor at the LW Playhouse, the night CAN CAN was to open and the tech director had painted over all the spike marks, the jaunts to Penzance and St. Ives when we roomed together on our Minack trips, the card games and red licorice, working in the costume room, teching so many shows, and so much more. Glen and I send our condolences to the family and friends who will miss Barbara so greatly.

When I could breathe and speak again, after Alan's phone call last week, I thought, "she can't be gone."  After all the years we have shared, it can't be so.
Barbara gave me some of my finest moments ever!  I know she was with me this past weekend, onstage in Dallas!  The friendship we had was one of the best ever.  The visits she made to St. Louis, to see my family were so special.
The price of putting on a play ~ a couple of hundred dollars...  The price of gas to go to Juno Beach for play rehearsals ~ a couple of bucks... The price of getting to hear Barbara yelling "Miriam!!!" ~ priceless!

My heart goes out to Barbara's friends and family. She ignited in me a lifelong appreciation for the theater, as she did for so many of us. I truly regret that we will not meet again in this lifetime.

I met Barbara through my family, the Roberts.  They all cherished her so much!  I always remember as a kid loving when she would visit us.  She was such a sweet lady.  I was planning to visit her next year with my mom for her class reunion and was so sad when I heard the news that we would not get to see her in June.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.  She will be missed dearly!!

When I think back over the fun things in my life, Barbara was a very big part of them....working props for one of her showes, traveling to Scotland, oodles of cruises and crazy train rides and road trips, and the Vero Weekrnds of intense card playing with the Saturday night group and the list goes on.  Coffee, cards, theater,and times of fun are all part of my memories of Barabara.  The world has truely altered now that she has moved on...but I know she has found her spotlight and is reveling in it.  Break a leg my friend.

Barbara cast me in the first "group-up" show I auditioned for at LWPH and started me on a revived love of theatre.  She became more than a director, she became my friend.  I will always be grateful for her faith in me on stage as well as backstage, her friendship and her spirit.  She will be missed. Leslie Rosenberg-Palm Springs, FL

I will always love and miss you alot Aunt Barbara. :( Say hi to Grandma Hellen and Aunt Lori for me.

I was just sick when I found out, though Facebook, that Barbara Musgrave had passed away.  She was a wonderful "fixture" at Forest Hill and Conniston and I always thought of her as a contemporary rather than a member of the "older generation."  I know that my friends who were in drama (particularly the late Marty Teitel) loved and admired her, and she was a truly great lady. 
Alan F. Bachrach, M.D., Ph.D.

I last talked to Barbara on a cold day this past February. If I had known it would be our last conversation I would have told her thank-you. Thank-you for the knowledge you gave me as a teacher and director. Thank-you for some of life's lessons you helped me learn. Thank-you for some of the best times I've ever had in my younger days. And finally, thank-you for being my friend.My condolences go out to her family and loved ones. I will never forget her.

I went to school with Barbara and think of her through my life. She was a great person and classmate. It is wonderful to read everything she did in her life. I liked her a lot. May the family find peace and comfort in the Lord. She will be remembered by me as long as I live.  Rest in peace dear classmate. Mary J. Davis (Bock)

It was 30 years ago when I first met the very intimidating Barbara Musgrave for the first time.  She had created a concept for the Lake Worth Playhouse, Studio 12, whose premise was to produce "alternative" plays to the Playhouses' mainstream stage shows.  I was in that very first show, THE ZOO STORY.
It was going to be performed only once, at midnight, on a Saturday night in June.  Now, on the occasion of the loss of this very special lady, I take the time to reflect on those 30 years. And, as if sitting by a fire on a wintry night, I am warmed by the memories of those very special people and times from The Lake Worth Playhouse.  And I thank Barbara for a call out of the blue last December with an invitation to her house at New Year's Eve. What an honor to be called "friend" by Barbara.  And what a friend she was to people.  She never was a good enough actress where that rough demeanor was able to hide her thoughtfulness, her concern, and her love for others. And, in a very indirect way, by casting me in a play, she had paved a path where I am now in my seventh year of teaching at Lake Worth Community High School.  And so we stand with tears in our eyes and applaud wildly at your final curtain call.
Take your bow, Miss Musgrave!
Rick Harlowe

To the Family of Barbara Musgrave, My Heart goes out to You. I was a Student of hers and Graduating class of '72 and a Student at ConnistonJr. High.
May Peace be with you all. Chet S. Wancewicz

I worked with Barbara on a couple of shows at LWPH and I enjoyed each one of them. I remember her face and how she always seemed to be smiling but mostly I remember her sense of humor. I still have the book she gave me on Stagecraft, I've referenced it many times since then and I've always treasured it. Darryl, I'm so very sorry for your family's loss. Your family and the whole LWPH family are in my thoughts. I've never forgotten y'all.

I am sorry for your loss. May God be with the family in this time of need. She was a very special person

Babara, you gave me so many gifts.  The biggest was the gift of theater.  It changed the direction of my life and everytime, over the years, that I have stepped on stage or directed a play I remembered everything you ever taught me.  Because of you I experienced so many things.  One of my favorite - laughing so hard  I peed.   In many ways, you led me to the serenity of finding myself.  There was a  bond between us, though untended to for many years,  that was always there and guided me through many a tough time. 
Our little group shared something so special and I have always kept it safely in my heart.   I know Gary and Marty were waiting at the gate to welcome you home.   And now, if you listen real hard, you can hear the thunderous applause and standing ovation.  BRAVO BRAVO
Rest easy, Barbara.  The world is a little less bright because you are gone but the Heavens are ablaze with the brightness of your wonderful spirit.   
Karen Moore Jensen
.

Barbara was a free spirit infused with boundless creativity.  Her unique perspective on life was refreshing and stimulating.  Teaching with her at Forest Hill High School was a privilege and a  pleasure.  The world is a far brighter place because of her.  Heaven is singing in welcome.  Tish Kern (Juno Beach, Fl)

Because of "Miss Musgrave" many young people fell in love with theatre.  It is my honor to continue to share her legacy with my students. You will be missed but your work will go on, sweet lady!

Barbara Musgrave left her stamp on the creative arts at Conniston Jr High, Forest Hill High School and the Lake Worth Playhouse. She was a great lady with a great big heart and an infectious laugh. This area and the Palm Beach County School District were very fortunate to have her as a teacher. She will still be directing shows in Heaven.

Barbara Musgrave touched so many lives through her years of teaching.  She followed many of us from Conniston Junior High to Forest Hill High and gave us so many sweet, fun memories!  She taught us how to laugh at ourselves.  She taught us how to respect each other.  But most of all she taught us that live is one big stage and we are merely the actors!  Rest in peace Barbara!  And thank you for so many years of laughter and tears! You will always have a special place in my heart!         Iva (Jean) Hayes Sampiller (Lake Ridge, VA)

Barbara was and is the single most influencial person in my life.  I met her when I was 15 yrars old, moved in with her when I was 18, while in college, and we have shared our lives almost daily for thirty six years. The emptiness  once occupied by her in my life is nearly unbearable.  It is  the example of her fortitude  in life that leads me through her death.

Barbara Musgrave influenced more than a generation of young people she taught. She had the ability to motivate, teach, and respect yourself while being down to earth with a great sense of humor. Of all the teachers I had from kindergarden through graduate school she is on that very small list of teachers I will never forget and always respect.

OBITUARY

Barbara Lee Musgrave

October 20, 1940 – September 28, 2011

Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center & Hillcrest Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services