Barbara Books
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Barbara Books, 82, formerly of Mishawaka passed away on June 17, 2021, at her daughter's home in Columbia City, IN.
Barbara was born on August 18, 1938, and placed into the loving arms of the late Eddie and Laura (Fisher) Buckley of Mishawaka, IN. She always spoke fondly of growing up near the Scout Reservation, helping raise her father's hunting dogs and tending her mother's flower gardens. Barbara graduated Mishawaka High School, class of 1956 and enjoyed being an active member of various social and academic clubs.
She married Calvin Marker, of Woodland, IN on February 1, 1957. They raised three children together. Through her membership in Tri-Kappa, Barbara continued her cherished relationships with high school girlfriends.
Barbara worked for 32 years at Walt Disney Elementary School as a media aid in the library. She loved her job and dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the school and its many children over the decades. Books were always one of her great passions, which she shared every day with classes of students sitting at her feet hearing wonderful stories. She also enjoyed spending the occasional summer as a nanny for children of local families, allowing her to travel abroad to England, France and Greece.
On October 18, 1991, she married Charles Books. They enjoyed their home together on Victoria Street and a shared interest in Saturday flea markets and picnics in the park.
Barbara was a strong believer in her faith and enjoyed participating in church activities at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mishawaka. As she was known for her beautiful penmanship, she was asked for many years to script the church certificates and correspondence. Barbara also played an active role in the delivery of donated food from the church's abundant pantry.
Barbara is survived by her children, Amy McDowell (Columbia City, In), Beth Marker (Cle Elum, WA), and David Marker (Goshen, IN); stepchildren, Randy Books and Michelle Books; 6 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Betty Mowat and Imogene Gray. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husbands, and sister Shirley Daniels.
A Celebration of Life for Barbara will be held on Saturday, July 10th at 11:00 AM in the chapel at Hahn Funeral Home located at 505 W. 8th Street Mishawaka, IN.
In recognition of her lifelong dedication to the importance of childhood reading, and in lieu of flowers, that family suggests a donation be made in Barbara's memory to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com. This non-profit is considered the world's most successful early childhood book gifting program.
To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.