Marie Elizabeth Barbera

Marie Barbera was born on December 15, 1928 to Elmer E. “Cap” and May Fairchild. She attended parochial school at St. Benedict in Shawnee and graduated from St. Benedict High School. She spent her business career in California where she worked for a bank for many years in their computer operations. She met the love of her life in California and she and Frank Barbera were married on January 22, 1972. They returned to her birthplace of Shawnee about 21 years ago. Marie spent these years in Shawnee organizing and teaching aerobics and line dancing to the elderly through the Pottawatomie County senior citizens center or at St. Gregory’s University. She was proud of her Potawatomi heritage and her mother, May, spent many years as secretary keeping the roles for the tribe. Marie was a “giver” and not a “taker” as all her family and acquaintances can attest. She reveled in teaching and helping the senior citizens in this area. Her husband Frank was right by her side in these efforts. She was preceded in death by her parents Cap and May Fairchild, and a brother Charles Fairchild. She is survived by her husband Frank, her brothers John and Leo, and a multitude of cousins and “double” cousins, as Cap and his brother William Ward Fairchild moved to Shawnee in the 1920’s and wooed May Neddeau and her sister Evelyn Neddeau, and so it was, that brothers Fairchild married sisters Neddeau, producing 15 double cousins. Marie was beloved by all her family and acquaintances and will be missed. Wake will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 2nd at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, and services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3rd. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.