Margo Barela's Obituary
Margo: A Long Life Expressed in Kindness
Some early Christians believed that the Angels that walk among us are those individuals that retain in their soul a remnant of the divine spark. If that is the case, then for the last 95 years we have had one of the divine among us. For, throughout her life, Margo has exhibited a genuine compassion and humility towards others.
To placate our inner sorrow, it is often easy to say these things about someone who has recently passed. But since her passing, the words others have used to describe Margo have consistently stressed her kindness and empathy.
Born in a small, Catholic village in the hill country of Volksstaat Hessen (Deutschland) – Margo grew up during a time of strife and thus grew to know strife. Maybe it was from this turmoil, or maybe it was the aid that her Oma provided to the outcast neighbors, but kernels of kindness seemed to have been embedded into Margo’s soul.
Marrying a USA Army solider (Denny) soon after the war, Margo traveled with him for 18 years from duty station to duty station. Through the comradeship of military duty, Denny and Margo built a broad network of friends at each station in Germany, Italy, California, Alaska, and Washington. Retiring in 1966 following a tour in Vietnam – Denny settled with Margo and their boys (Mike, Dennis, Fred, and Tim) into a much more sedentary life (first in Lakewood and later in Fircrest).
With a new home established – and with three of her four sons growing into young adults – in her late 30’s Margo embarked upon another life-change. After a short stint in college, Margo began what resulted in a rewarding 30-year career in Operations Banking with PNBW / First Interstate Bank. Unsurprisingly, Margo again built a network of friends so deep that they would span over 50 years.
For her final adventure (retirement), Margo created a new network of friends through time spent at the Discover Shop, church, book clubs, antiquing, and with her new Oakbrook neighbors. Retirement also provided Margo and her large German-family time to bond through their mutual travels and her visits to Germany and Spain.
Time eventually stole many of the friendships and family from Margo’s early years. But, time also provided new additions to her family (daughters-in-law Nadine and Sue and grandson Karl) and brought new participants into Margo’s life that provided her equal companionship and love. Over the last ten years, Margo’s friendships and family became intertwined like the stems of clustered geraniums (a plant she so loved) – thus providing her support such that she could remain independent until nearly her final days.
It is through her kindness and empathy that Margo remains loved by many, will be missed by many, and will be forgotten by few.
To make donations in Margot's memory please follow the link below:
https://kbtc.wedid.it/campaigns/9654-annual-membership-support/contribute
Margot Sophia Barela (nee Draude)
Born 1928 (Germany) : Deceased 2023 (USA)
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