Barbara Foster Mars
November 26, 2015

MARS, BARBARA FOSTER: passed away the morning of Thursday, November 26, 2015 and leaves behind her love and husband of 70 years, Bernard "Bud" Mars. Barbara was the mother of Sally Mars Carey of San Francisco, CA, Peter F. Mars (Wendy) of Pittsburgh, PA and Andrew F. Mars (Cheryl) of Huntington Beach, CA. Grandchildren are Bryn Mars, Morgan Mars Schauffler (Derek), Alexandra Mars, Rebecca Mars and Remy Mars Feldman (Andrew), and great grandchild, Grady Schauffler. Barbara was born in Pittsburgh to the late Ruth G. and Byron L. Foster. Her brother, Byron Foster Jr., preceded her in death. Barbara attended Winchester Thurston School before going on to Skidmore College, where she majored in art history. She was proud of the fact that both her daughter Sally and granddaughter Bryn were also Skidmore alumni. Always looking for the next adventure, Barbara and Bud travelled the world, often with Eleanor and Harvey Goldstein. Eleanor, of blessed memory, was Barbara's sister in law and best friend. From winters in Palm Springs, CA to summers in Beach Haven, NJ or later on, Nantucket, MA, Barbara was the CEO and organizer of many travel adventures. She was "Google" before there was an internet; planning, negotiating, and strategizing travel plans for her friends and family. No trip was too small for Barbara who took copious notes to plan their next destination. As a lifetime member of Westmoreland Country Club, Barbara loved playing golf with her husband and friends in Pittsburgh and, at Tamarisk Country Club in Palm Springs. She was also often seen on the local tennis courts with friends and family and in winters, dined with family and friends at the Concordia Club. Always active in the community, Barbara was one of the founders and the first manager of the Woman's American Ort fashion boutique in Shadyside. In addition, she and Eleanor would plan the annual Angel Ball benefiting Montefiore Hospital, and she was proud to be a Lion of Judah member at the Pittsburgh Federation. As a lover of art from around the world, in later years Barbara was an active docent at the Carnegie Museum. She loved educating groups of all ages about artists, meaning, and styles. She imparted this love of the arts to her son Peter and her granddaughter Morgan. Barbara's greatest joy in life came from spending time with all her immediate family, including her nieces Susan Guttman (Barney) of Pittsburgh, Linda Matzkin (Joe) and Jane Haas (Charlie O'Donnell) of Boston who she considered as her three additional daughters. The family is extremely grateful for the many wonderful caregivers who helped Barbara in her final years from the Caregiver's Connection at Jewish Family and Children's Service which is where donations are suggested. Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 3PM. Visitation one hour prior to services (2 - 3 PM). Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. www.schugar.com.

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