Weathersfield, VT – Marion D. Barr, 88, died at her home on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the company of her two daughters. Marion was born in Keene, NH on December 16, 1935, to Dermont Robert and Donna (Geddes) Markwell. She grew up on Lexington farm in Reading, VT, attended the Reading Schools, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1953. Marion enjoyed growing up in Reading and her life and adventures living in a small town. She was married to her beloved, Warren H. Barr, on August 9, 1952, at the Reading Union Church. They made their home in Downers Corners while she completed high school. Warren's career in the Air Force took them to Louisiana, London England, Omaha, NE, Falls Church, VA, and Redondo Beach, CA. She would find her community everywhere she went, sharing her faith in Christ with all that were open to hear it and always having a heart to help other people. She always had an open and welcoming home wherever she lived and loved being with her family and friends. Marion was a wonderful cook and baker and loved to cook all her life. She taught many family members and other people how to cook. She could entertain on a small and large scale and helped organize many large social and community events. While her daughters were growing up, Marion ran a childcare business so she could be at home with her children and bring in extra money for the household. She enjoyed camping with her family and exploring various parts of the country. Marion and Warren settled in Vienna, VA, where they raised their family. In 1989, they returned home to Weathersfield, VT, where she has lived since.

Marion was instrumental in the development and opening of the Trinity Food Shelf in Windsor, where she built strong relationships with community members, offering a sympathetic ear, prayers, and wisdom. She had a heart for all people to be treated well no matter what their circumstances. Marion volunteered as a teen youth group leader and helped organize many events for the teens as well as outreach events for the whole community. She loved to share stories of her childhood and was an avid reader her whole life. She always had a book that she was reading and another in the queue to start next. She loved to share about what she was reading and learning with others. Marion loved learning her whole life, whether it be from another person, a book, a museum, or a place. She spent hours reading her Bible, studying devotionals, and praying in her later years. Marion always said she was practical in her faith, and she believed in showing others love through her actions. She was a lover of nature and could often be found at her kitchen table looking out at the birds and the mountains while praying for her family and community. She always loved to have fun, laugh and be with people while also being a very hard worker.

In her final months, Marion knew her prognosis and accepted it bravely, having strong faith that God would see her through. She spent this time at home enjoying the company of friends and family and, right to her last weeks, stubbornly continuing to do the household chores she had been practicing since she could walk. Marion was a loving, strong, encouraging, and inspiring woman and will be missed greatly by her friends and family.

Marion is survived by her two daughters, Rebecca D. Chrisinger of Weathersfield, VT and Elizabeth Noble and husband, John, of Columbia, MD; grandchildren Luke, Mark, Lars, Mary (Rob), Matthew, Ryan (Erika), Christopher, and Benjamin; great grandchildren, Joshua, Kaylee, and Nathan; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her premature twin daughters, parents, her husband, Warren H. Barr, two brothers, Robert and Gordon D. Markwell and many in-laws.

Marion's family is very grateful for the excellent and kind care that Marion received from the DHMC medical teams in the cardiac in patient care unit, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and The Visiting Nurses of VT and NH.

A service will be held at 10am on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Brownsville Community Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Haven 713 Hartford Ave White River Junction, VT 05001, Reading Public Library, P.O. Box 7, Reading VT 05062, or the Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf, P.O. Box 384, Brownsville, VT 05037.