Marie J. Barcus

Marie J. Barcus, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 1, 2024 after a brief illness. Born in Berea, OH, Marie grew up as a small child in Medina, OH in an 1850s era grand Victorian house.  Marie’s father Andy ran a bar/restaurant called The Homestead which is still in operation today as the Corkscrew Saloon, and Marie enjoyed sharing stories about her young adventures during her family’s time living there.   She was quite the “Little Rascal” and enjoyed fishing trips with her dad up at Put-In-Bay.  Marie and her family then moved to the Firestone Park area in Akron, where she attended grade school at St. Paul Catholic.  Marie continued her childhood escapades at her grandmother’s summer resort, the Maplehurst, in Chippewa Lake, near the amusement park.  Marie was a graduate of Our Lady of the Elms High School.  Following graduation, Marie attended Ohio University for a short while but she missed her family and friends and returned back to Akron.  She then received a two-year diploma from Hammel Actual Business College and worked as a secretary at Bellows-Valvair.

Marie then met the love of her life – Hank (Henry) Barcus.  Hank and Marie were blessed with over 50 years of marriage together.  Marie was a wonderful homemaker and loved raising her three children, Julie, Joan and David.  She enjoyed gardening and reading novels.  She was a fantastic cook and inspired that passion in each of her children.  But Marie yearned for adventure and enjoyed the thrilling places she and Hank went together.  Hank and Marie traveled to the beaches of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas; to Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge; and to the majestic vista of Niagara Falls, Canada, reliving their honeymoon dreams.  Hank loved the live music scene and coaxed Marie by his side to enjoy the shows – from interesting dives, to elegant theaters and supper clubs.  Marie glowed in Hank’s arms as the couple lit up the room with their award-winning jitterbugging.  Blues, jazz, country and opera all were enjoyed on the airwaves at the Barcus home.

Marie and Hank were avid sports fans.  They were dressed to the nines when they attended the very first Monday Night Football game at Municipal Stadium on September 21, 1970.  They enjoyed Cavs games in Richfield where their daughter Joan directed the dance team.  They cheered on the Columbus Blue Jackets with fan club President daughter Julie.  They watched World Cup Soccer in Detroit with their son David.

Marie and Hank started their life together in Ellet, living near the Goodyear Blimp hangar.  They moved to the Valley in West Akron when their kids were school aged, then settled in Fairlawn.  They met many lifelong friends in their Fairlawn neighborhood, where Marie was a resident for 40 years.

Marie had a skilled eye for fashion and enjoyed her time working in several clothing retail stores; high fashion Aristi’s and preppy Bobby A’s among them.  She was a wonderful salesperson, quick to establish a rapport with her customers, providing honest feedback about what best suited them and pulling together just the right outfit or wardrobe very quickly.

In addition to fashion, Marie loved fine arts and photography.  She was a long-standing member of the Junior Women’s Civic Club of Akron and supported many Akron charities with her volunteer work for causes such as supporting the Akron Art Museum and St. Thomas Hospital through A Day at the Races.  She collected artwork and photos and filled her home with vibrant memories of the places she’d been and the people she loved, especially her grandchildren.

Marie also enjoyed the quiet beauty of nature.  She said that her home near Sand Run Park was her happiest place on Earth.  She sat outside for at least 15 minutes each day soaking up the sunshine and listening to the birds and the breeze in the trees overhead, even in the coldest snowy weather.  Marie loved hiking with her children and husband, and achieved over 40 years of participation in the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree.  She adored her dogs.  She helped foster the enduring love of the woods, of the sky, and of the stars, in each of her children.

Marie had a zest for life that was remarkable even in her last days.  Marie had a rebellious streak and an enduring childlike spirit.  She is unforgettable.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hank (Henry) Barcus; her parents, Andrew and Marie Engelmann; and brother, Andy (Andrew) Paul Engelmann.  She is survived by her children, Julie (Brian) Maurer, Joan (Larry) Saltis, and David (Amanda) Barcus; grandchildren, Lawrence, Ella, Eloise, Mabel, and Josephine; many nieces, nephews, family members and cherished friends.

Calling hours Wednesday 3/6, 4 – 7 pm at the Ciriello & Carr Fairlawn Chapel, 39 S. Miller Rd. where funeral services will be held at 11 am Thursday, 3/7.  Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery to follow.  Memorial donations can be made in Marie’s name to Junior Women’s Civic Club of Akron, PO Box 5217, Fairlawn, OH 44334, or to Weaver Industries online at weaverindustries.org/Donate.

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