Marilyn Barr

Our hearts are broken as we share the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, Marilyn Barr, who left this world on October 8th, surrounded by her family. Though our hearts ache with her loss, we find comfort knowing that her love, light, and example will forever remain with us and with all of those blessed to know her. To know Marilyn was to know kindness, strength, a fierce sense of justice, a humanitarian, and genuine love. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel important, valued, and seen. Whether you were a lifelong friend or someone she had just met, she welcomed you with open arms and a legendary warmth. For two decades, Marilyn served as the Executive Director of CASA of Tulare County, dedicating her life to advocating for children in need. She made it her mission to ensure that every child had a voice and that those most vulnerable and invisible were worthy of justice, safety, and love. Prior to CASA, she worked in several community oriented positions, volunteered and was involved in dozens of organizations. As a result of her strength of convictions and advocacy for humanity, she was the recipient of awards and accolades too numerous to list. Her passion, leadership, compassion, and drive to make the world a better place changed countless lives and left an impact on not only those she served, but also those lucky enough to have worked with her. But above all, Marilyn was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She never missed a moment to remind her loved ones how proud she was of them - and she meant it every single time. She believed family was more than just blood and as a result, she surrounded herself and her daughters with a village of chosen family. She instilled in her daughters and grandchildren that same sense of justice, integrity and belief in the goodness of humanity she lived by. She lived the example of speaking out against injustice, standing on conviction– no matter how small–and the importance of living every day with purposeful integrity and believing in the goodness of humanity. Her heart was as big as her spirit - gentle, generous, and endlessly caring. She was truly one of a kind, and her absence leaves a space that can never be filled. Her love lives on in all of us - in the lives she touched, the hearts she healed, and the community she helped build. She will be forever missed and endlessly loved. Marilyn is survived by her daughters Dana Barr-Galante and Lisa Barr-Allen; her grandchildren Lucas and Cole Galante, and Kabria and Sophia Allen; her partner Charlie Glenn and countless friends she considered family. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Lillian Campbell, her sister Patricia Campbell, and her son in law Brent Allen. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to CASA of Tulare County, so her life's work - giving children a voice - can continue in her honor.