Barbara E. Marcus

Barbara Elaine (Burstein) Marcus died March 6, 2009 in Lemon Grove, CA. She was born January 29, 1928 in Kansas City, MO, the second child of Joseph Burstein and Bertha (Goldberg) Burstein; her father cofounded the retail electronics chain Burstein-Applebee Company. Barbara graduated from Southwest High School (1944) and Northwestern University (1948), where she studied speech and drama and was strongly influenced by the semantic theories of I.J. Lee and S.I. Hayakawa, as well as by the cultural relativism of M.J. Herskovits. A proud member of AlphaEpsilonPhi, she had fond memories of Margie Markham and Charlotte Rae. She married photographer Lee Marcus in 1950. Barbara was a gifted portrait painter and actress: she portrayed Millie in the 1956 Kansas City Resident Theatre production of "Picnic," directed by Robin League. She was an accomplished horsewoman as well as a breeder, handler, and authoritative writer on German Shepherds: her beloved pet was Ch. Rebel's Zorro von Marcus, C.D., the nation's leading show dog in 1962. The KC Police Dept. consulted Barbara on problem-dog behavior, and she co- donated Trooper, one of three KCPD K- 9 Corps heroes memorialized since 1961. She moved to the historical-landmark Barnes Castle (Idledale, CO) in 1967. In Denver, following graduation from Barnes Business College, she was employed (1982-87) by noted criminal attorney Gerald Gerash and the Public Defender's Office. Relocating to San Diego in 1987 to realize her lifelong dream of ocean-side residence, she worked in the Dept of Social Services for SD County (1988-98). Barbara's passions ranged from William Shakespeare to John Elway, from Tennessee Williams to the Williams sisters. Her expertise was astonishingly eclectic, encompassing theater and cinema, great books and current affairs, and the music of Ella, Mahalia, Patsy, and Janis. Her adoration of dogs was only just surpassed by her loving pride in the accomplishments of her sons. A tenacious Free Thinker, lifelong Democrat, and "Golden Years Lesbian," Barbara detested ethnic bigotry and religious intolerance, and enjoyed fine wines and chocolate. This actress never would "learn the role" of Pollyanna, for throughout life's many challenges she intransigently rejected simplistic "Positive Thinking." Unfailingly trustworthy, profoundly insightful, infallibly loving, such was our "Buster": dearest friend and unwavering confidante. With unflagging honesty and a wry sense of humor, Barbara agreed with Sappho that "the most beautiful sight on the dark earth is whatever an individual loves." Survivors include sons Joseph, Daniel, and Jed (Scott predeceased her in 1994); former husband Lee; and grandchildren Mindy and Anthony. Please send donations in Barbara's memory to New York Horse Rescue (www.nyhr.org), PO Box 435, Manorville, NY 11949 (631-874-9420).