Barbara J DeMarsh

Barbara Jane (Hutson) DeMarsh

Barbara went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 10th. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert DeMarsh. She is survived by her daughters Cathy Hinojosa (Hector) of Los Alamos, Dee Plana (Miguel) of Jemez Springs, Elaine Argo (Gary Bos) of Hillsdale, Illinois; grandchildren Tony Hinojosa (Tiffany), Tina Varela (Jeremy), Gavin Argo, Danielle Plana, Tessa Delaney (Dan), Tegan Litwak (Ben), and Camila Plana; great-grandchildren Nalani, Diego, Imari, Daniela, and Vela.

Barbara DeMarsh was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, 1924.  She grew up in Ohio (Cleveland Heights), Massachusetts (Wellesley Hills), and Ontario, Canada (Toronto).  After graduating from Michigan State University, she taught Home Economics at West Branch, Michigan and Wickliffe, Ohio, then moved to Denver, Colorado for better skiing.  Her pharmacist friend, Al DeMarsh, followed her there, and they were married in 1954.  From there they moved to Los Alamos, where she raised three daughters.  She loved to say there was “No better place to live!”  She volunteered teaching Sunday School and with the Girl Scouts for 10 years, at the Los Alamos Historical Museum for another 17 years, and the Los Alamos Senior Center.  For 32 years she hiked or skied every week. She was curious, never stopped learning, and was always reading.  She was adventurous and an avid traveler.  She traveled to Italy, England, Peru, Nepal, Thailand, Hong Kong, Switzerland, New Zealand, Norway, and Scotland as well as throughout the United States including two trips to Alaska and several mission trips. She also took many cruises including a Windjammer Cruise to Caribbean Islands, a South Sea Cruise, a Mediterranean Cruise, a Columbia River Cruise and one to Cozumel with her three daughters in celebration of her 80th birthday.

She took delight in the beauty of God’s creation and inspired others to enjoy the great outdoors. As she shared in a devotion, “I am at peace in the fresh air surrounded by green grass, wildflowers, birds, butterflies, and Abert’s squirrels.”

Services will be held on Saturday, October 23rd at 1:00pm at the First United Methodist Church, Los Alamos. 

The family of Barbara DeMarsh has entrusted the care of their loved one to the Rivera Family Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-753-2288 www.riverafamilyfuneralhome.com