Tree commemorates St. Paul Center community member

Friday, Dec. 12, 2014

HURRICANE  —   Barbara Markus passed away six weeks ago, but her spirit was alive in the angel tree that was exhibited at the Hurricane Valley Christmas Tree Festival Dec. 5-6.

 Markus was the past president of the Saint Paul Catholic Center Women’s Council and director of the “Blessed By an Angel” charitable program. 

“She had a passion for it, and it was so close to her heart,” said Judith Green, Women’s Council president and organizer of the angel tree that honored Markus’ memory.

Markus used to visit people in the hospitals. “She would give them a call to ask to see if she could go and visit with them, and she would bring a goodie basket  but there was always an angel in the bag,” said Green.

Markus also would deliver goodies to the homebound.

“She used to make them feel so special and also made them feel that St. Paul’s was there with them,” said Green, adding that even when Markus’ eyesight deteriorated so that she couldn’t drive any more, her husband or a volunteer took her on her visits.

“Barbara never stopped. She was an amazing woman, it was very shocking to all of us” when she passed away, said Green. In fact, on the Sunday that Markus died she had prepared a bag of goodies for a wheelchair-bound girl who attends St. Paul Center; the girl missed Mass that day but the basket was waiting for her the next week, so even after death, Markus was still giving, Green said.

While thinking of a way to honor Markus’ memory, Green recalled that last year the parish donated a Christmas tree to the Hurricane Valley Christmas Tree Festival, which benefits the “Shop with a Cop” program.

“This year we thought it was so appropriate to do a tribute to honor Barbara Markus by a ‘ Blessed by Angels’ Christmas tree,” said Green.

The tree was completely filled with angels  donated by different community members.

“The most heartwarming thing about the tree is that people at church were giving us angel ornaments to put on it. … They wanted to honor Barbara,” said Green , who ended up  not having enough room for all the angels that she received.

“We are very proud of the tree and for being able to pay tribute to a wonderful, wonderful woman that has given so much. It might  not have been the tallest tree there, but it was decorated with so much love and honor to this woman,” said Green.

“Bryce (the center director) stated that the story behind our ‘Blessed By Angels’ tree tribute to Barbara Markus touched many hearts, which means a lot to us,” said Green.