Marjorie C. Barr

Marjorie Cann Barr October 20, 1926 - December 14, 2024

Marjorie Cann Barr, age 98 of West Chester, PA, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2024,
surrounded by all of her children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 75 years, Douglas R. Barr, Sr.

Marjorie was born to Merrill B. and Abbie S. Cann on October 20th, 1926, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She grew up and attended grade school in Marshallton, where her family was deeply-rooted. Following her high school graduation, she earned her degree from West Chester State Teachers College, and taught third grade at Chadds Ford Elementary School, finding herself quickly beloved by her students.

After marrying Doug in 1949, they built a beautiful life together, raising three loving children on their family farm, which remains in the family to this day. Throughout the years, Marge, always with Doug, supported all of their children’s interests- from attending every horse-related event to baseball games and helping the family team in the Marshallton Triathlon each year, they were there for us all, and continued doing so for grandchildren and great-great children as well. Her passion for reading and education never wavered as she later went back to substitute teaching, tutoring in the Title 1 program, and volunteering at the Brandywine Valley Tourist
Information Center at Longwood, which she greatly enjoyed and was even awarded “Volunteer of the Year.”

When the opportunity arose, Marge treasured traveling with Doug throughout the entire United States, as well as other destinations, planning and journaling about their many trips. At home on the farm, she was always at the center of creating warm family memories and could be found picking apples and making cider in the fall, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, and tending to gardens in the spring. Summers were spent reading by the pool or in Ocean City, New Jersey, where their morning bike rides on the boardwalk, coffee at Oves, days on the beach, and evenings spent sitting together on the porch became cherished family traditions. Her talents were many - whether it be knitting, baking cookies, gardening, preserving homegrown fruits and vegetables, making quince jelly, country line-dancing, cooking healthy meals each night, or having just the right touch for every after-school snack she made for her grandchildren, no one could do it quite like she could. She brought wisdom, encouragement, happiness, warmth, and love to the many generations she touched. 

Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who truly taught us all to live well, laugh often, and love much. She will be forever missed and lovingly remembered, always.

Marjorie’s spirit and memory will live on through her family, all of whom loved her dearly. She is survived by her children- who were always by her side- Douglas R. Barr, Jr., Sally Barr Pardue (Gary), and John Barr (Gail); her six grandchildren, Heather Pardue Thompson (Christopher), Jared Pardue,  Ryan Pardue (Sarah), Steven Barr, Elizabeth Barr, Catherine Anne Barr; and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt Thompson, Oliver Thompson, Lincoln Thompson, Everly Pardue, and Adeline Pardue. 

She is also survived by her two sisters, Mary Cann Evans and Doris Cann Hume, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend to her Memorial Service on Saturday February 1, 2025, at the Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1282 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester, Pa 19382. Visitation will be held beginning at 2:00 pm, with the service following at 3:00 pm. Live Streaming can be found HERE.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Marjorie’s memory to the Marshallton United Methodist Church, 1282 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester, Pa 19382.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 610-696-1181.