Cecile Margaret Barchas

BARCHAS, Cecile Margaret, was born on May 7, 1912. She died at age 98, just six days short of her 99th birthday, after a prolonged illness on May 1, 2011. She lived a vital life as a devoted wife, dedicated and loving mother of eight children, grandmother of 11 and great-grandmother of 13. Her beloved husband, Samuel Isaac Barchas, preceded her in death in 1988. Cecile had much love for children, books and learning, music, animals, and beauty in nature. She became a rancher in 1957 when she and her husband moved from Los Angeles with their family to southern Arizona after his heart attack. The many dimensions of her life included over 40 years of ranching in the Sierra Vista and Sonoita areas, an acclaimed rare book collection in the history of science, medicine and ideas donated to Stanford University, volunteering 7,000 hours at Hollinger Elementary School Library in Tucson, humming original melodies even in her 90's that became the basis for several recorded songs. Cecile will be profoundly missed by her eight children and their spouses: Jack (Rosemary), Sarah, Judy (Gene), Mark (Kay), Rudy (Jeanne), Rachel (Myron), David, Rebecca (John), and the generations that followed, and numerous nephews and nieces, and her cherished caregiver companion, Belia, and all others touched by her friendship, life and legacy. Services are scheduled at EVERGREEN CHAPEL AND CEMETERY at Oracle and Miracle Mile in Tucson on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southern Poverty Law Center, Doctors Without Borders, or Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation.