Obituary of Elzara Marie Barbier

Elzara “Marie” Barbier, 92, longtime resident of Salinas, passed away Monday, September 12, 2022, in Carmel. She was born November 3, 1929 in Lewiston, Utah.

     Marie died peacefully at Archway of Carmel, surrounded by her loving family and “care family” she had grown to love and rely on for her medical needs her last three years. Moments before her passing, calls came in from family In Southern CA and Portland, OR wanting to say goodbye to their Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, making lasting memories for Marie and family.

     Marie was a former resident of Marina, where she worked in the Five & Dime Store in the 1950s. Marie was also a former resident of San Benancio Canyon, where she lived 60+ years. She also worked for Monterey AT&T as a telephone operator for 19 years before retiring. She fondly remembered being asked to “connect” President Eisenhower to the person he wanted to call while staying with friends in Pebble Beach. And, she had a passion for “Couponing” (cutting out coupons to use while shopping).  Marie was renowned as a great baker and canner.  She was an official “Betty Crocker Home Taste Tester” who would test (make, bake, and comment on) a recipe before it became a Betty Crocker Cake Mix or Cookie Mix.  She and her daughter would also enter their cakes, cookies, jams and jellies in Monterey County Fair and almost always win 1st and 2nd place ribbons.  She loved baking for friends and family.

     Marie is survived by her children, Kathleen Eckerson Ivie and John Barbier; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jean Pierre Barbier in March of 2013.

Graveside services will be held Friday, September 30, 2022 at 12 pm, at Mission Memorial Park Cemetery, 1915 Ord Grove Ave., Seaside, CA 93955. Arrangements entrusted to Healey Mortuary & Crematory.