Barbara Bostian Marsh

A memorial service for Barbara Bostian Marsh, 78, of Granville, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Karen J. Chakoian officiating.

Barbara died Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at Kendal at Granville, after a courageous 14-year battle with cancer. She was born February 16, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Russell and Rose (Haluey) Bunai.

An elementary teacher for 30 years with Newark City Schools, Barbara earned her degree in Education from The Ohio State University where she was a member of the O.S.U. Alumni Association. As a strict, but very fun teacher, Barbara was loved by students and made the difference in so many young lives.

Barbara was a very involved member of First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon, on the Deacon Parish Care committee, and was a choir member and taught Sunday School. Barbara enjoyed working with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Symphony League, Radford College Women's League Pediatric Project, and Radford Junior Women's League. She was a lifetime member of Ohio Education Association, the Ohio and Licking County Retired Teachers Associations, Cherry Valley Retired Teachers, and was a founding member of the Brahma Bulls Investment Club.

Barbara was an avid crafter, devoting hours of time creating unique items for charities and friends and shared these talents with children. She was a faithful walker and enjoyed books, learning, and puzzles. Barbara's sense of humor was ever present in the jokes she would tell and the practical jokes she would unleash on family and friends. Most importantly, the way Barbara lived her life was an inspiration to countless people who were fortunate enough to know her. She made everyone she met feel special. Barbara was a giver, always a giver. Her strength of character, ever positive nature, and unfailing generosity of spirit will live on as examples to all who knew and loved her. She was an especially generous, loving and cherished wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, who will be deeply missed.

Surviving are her husband, Henry N. Marsh, Jr. of Granville; sons and daughters-in-law, Russell Bostian of Newark, OH, Dr. Bradley and Patricia Bostian of Charlotte, NC, and Dr. Carey Bostian II and Miera Kim of Iowa City, IA; daughters and son-in-law, Holly and Tom Abbott of Midlothian, VA, and Mary Bostian of Westerville, OH; stepdaughters, Kennan Marsh of Lake Forest, IL, Sarah Schweitzer of Glen Oaks, IL, Mary Marsh of Washington D.C., Emily Szabo of Dublin, OH; brother, Dr. Russell Bunai of Brookeville, MD; sisters and brothers-in-law, Winifred and Dr. Wallace Vander Velde of Winchester, MA and Nancy and Dr. Kenneth Simmonds of London, England; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Bazner, who died in 1953 and her former husband, Richard Lee Bostian, who died in 1996.

Arrangements are in the care of McPeek-Hoekstra Funeral Home in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, OH, 43023 or to a charity of choice.