Obituary: Barbara Travis Marin

Mrs. Marin

Mrs. Marin

Barbara Travis Marin, age 87, of Blacksburg, Virginia, died on Sunday, May 31, 2015, at the New River Valley Medical Center after suffering a stroke. She was born in Prescott, Arizona, on Nov. 13, 1927, to the late William and Dorothy Travis.

Barbara grew up in Prescott with eight brothers and sisters and entered the University of Arizona at age 16. Barbara was also a state championship tennis player in Arizona. She left university to attend St. Joseph's Hospital for nurse's training and joined the last class of the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. She met her husband, Col. Laddie Marin, in Monterey, California, and began life as a military wife and mother. Laddie and Barbara had seven children and moved 17 times during his career in the Air Force and lived in all parts of the United States as well as overseas. Some of the more adventurous assignments included Newfoundland, Alaska and England. In retirement in 1973, they settled in Blacksburg, Virginia, where Col. Marin served as the Assistant Commandant for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. An avid golfer and animal lover, Barbara also enjoyed playing card games of all kinds, reading mystery novels, and completing the daily crossword puzzle.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Barbara is survived by one daughter, Lisa Johnson (Buzz) of Pensacola, Florida; five sons, Stephen Marin (Kathleen) of Neskowin, Oregon, G. David Marin of Denver, Colorado, Laddie Marin Jr. (Elizabeth) of Windham, New Hampshire, Christopher Marin (Julia) of Blacksburg, and Michael Marin of Minneapolis, Minnisota; four siblings, William Travis, Mary Mellin, Warren Travis (Ginger) and Dorothy Travis; brother-in-law and wife, Robert and Betty Marin, 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews to whom she is known as Aunt Bobbie.

Preceded in death by her husband of 65 years and a son, Robert Marin, Barbara will be buried with them in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Barbara always said she enjoyed a very exciting and fulfilling life with happy memories of noisy family gatherings, poker parties and watching children and grandchildren grow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Blacksburg Rescue Squad would be appreciated.

Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

Information provided by survivors.


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