Barbara Barclay:
CLASS OF 1970
Central Catholic High SchoolClass of 1970
Cleveland, OH
Our Lady of Lourdes High SchoolClass of 1970
Cleveland, OH
St. John Lutheran SchoolClass of 1966
Garfield heights, OH
Anthony Wayne SchoolClass of 1962
Cleveland, OH
Barbara's Story
Written: July 23, 2015
On November 12, 1977, I married a career Air Force officer/pilot after knowing him for only three weeks. We moved around quite a bit and I have lived in the Philippines; Washington, DC; Dayton, Ohio; Montgomery, Alabama; Little Rock, Arkansas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Destin, Florida (for a short assignment); and, Los Angeles, California, where my husband was assigned to a small detachment at Lockheed. Always having had the "wanderlust," I was well suited for the life as a military wife and fortunate to have traveled extensively in the United States, Southeast Asia and Europe.
My husband of 35 years passed away very suddenly in October of 2012 and I am still trying to adjust to my "new normal." It has been a difficult, painful journey but I am thankful for many wonderful years we had together. Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Barclay was buried with full military honors and rests in Arlington National Cemetery where I will someday join him.
I have two children; a 36-year-old second-grade teacher and a 34-year-old ordained minister. I am very proud they both chose professions of service to others. I am blessed with two grandchildren, a 7-year-old granddaughter and a 5-month-old grandson. I also have a four-legged child, "Sisi," an Australian Shepherd appropriately named after an Empress!
I am now retired due to medical reasons, but had a fulfilling and challenging career as a Meeting/Special Events professional. I never worked a day because I was so passionate about what I did. A couple of the highlights of my career:
***Working as the Special Events Manager at Gene Autry's Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles. Mr. Autry was a wonderful man and I enjoyed planning concerts, museum events, parties for the Angels and the annual Gala. There was never a dull moment and I got to see a lot of what goes on in Hollywood "behind the scenes."
AND
***Ending my career as the Assistant Director for Dedication Events for the historic Dedication of the National World War II Memorial. It was not a job, rather an honor to serve America's Greatest Generation. I spoke with hundreds of people who served during the War, either on ...Expand for more
the home from or in uniform. The stories they shared were amazing. I laughed with them, but more often cried with them. I have cherished memories to last a lifetime. Approximately 225,000 people attended the event in Washington, DC and tens of thousands, via satellite, across the world. It took everything in me to hold back my pent-up emotions the day of the event; and, when it was over, I broke down.
I have always been thankful for having been accepted at Our Lady of Lourdes/Cleveland Central Catholic as one of only two non-Catholics at the time. The Sisters, priests and lay faculty were wonderful and their kindness, compassion and Christian love had a profound affect in my life.
One experience I'll never forget occurred in December 1967 when my father suddenly passed away of a heart attack. He and I were very close and I was devastated. His funeral was in the Protestant church I attended, The First Hungarian Reformed Church. You can imagine how astounded I was when the young ladies from my homeroom, accompanied by several Sisters, walked into the church to attend the funeral service; it was such an honor and incredible comfort.
Sister Mary Teresita insisted I return to school two days after the funeral, which I did. The date was December 13th, my 16th birthday, "Sweet Sixteen" but not too sweet with the heaviness in my heart. I walked into my homeroom to find a surprise birthday celebration. Every one in my homeroom presented me with a card, note, or little gift. The girls baked a cake and sang "Happy Birthday." I remember shaking uncontrollably, the tears rolling down my face. This was a pivotal event in my life and ever since that day, I have tried to pay it forward and will continue to do so the rest of my days.
I am eternally grateful to the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Catholic Church, the priests and teachers. Our Lady of Lourdes/Cleveland Central Catholic was a huge part of my life; in large part, it made me who I am. I thank the Lord God Almighty for placing me there and hope and pray the students walking the halls today realize just how blessed they are.
*****
If you're ever in the National Capital Region, look me up!
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