Barbara Schofield (Allen) Marshall, born October 3, 1933, died peacefully at home in Bedford, MA, surrounded by her family on January 5th, after living actively for many years with pulmonary fibrosis.

Born in Hingham, Barbara began her life's dedication to travel, peace, and human rights in her early years, journeying to pre-war Germany in 1938 with her journalist parents J. Edward Allen of Fitchburg and M. Barbara Schofield of Weymouth. Her early experiences in pre and post-war Europe fueled the passions that filled her life. Fervently rejecting hatred and bigotry, she often recounted her vivid memory of viewing a Nazi parade at age five, and being firmly directed by her mother to not salute. Embracing human generosity, she remembered the kindness of a French family operating a hotel in war-devastated France who used their limited food rations to feed Barbara and her family as gratitude for the U.S. role in liberating their country. Welcoming people of all backgrounds, she reflected on the diversity of cultures that formed her world during her high school years at the International School of Geneva.

Barbara moved with her family to Geneva, Switzerland in 1946 as part of the new worldwide movement for peace called the United Nations. Post high-school, she completed a certificate course at the Sorbonne in Paris, studying history, arts, and culture; and an interpreter certification course in Geneva, which she put to good use in Madrid the following year convincing wealthy gentlemen to spend lavishly on high-end clothing. In 1953, Barbara returned to the Boston area, attended secretarial school, and soon met her husband, Donald Marshall, a student at MIT. She and Don married in October 1954, forming a lasting 62-year partnership. After the birth of their son Allen in 1955, Don's completion of his PhD at MIT in 1958 and early employment in State College, PA, Barbara and Don settled in Bedford in 1966.

Over the ensuing 50 years, Barbara was active in the Bedford community. She was one of the founders of Bedford's METCO program; a member of the Bedford Council on Human Relations; and a founder of the Bedford Citizens for Peace, participating in numerous anti-war protests and civil rights marches. She was a lifetime member of the Bedford Historical Society; a lifelong communicant at St. Michael's Parish; and a member of the Bedford Garden Club, where her legacy can be seen in the many larch trees that still grace the town.

In addition to her family, Barbara had two special loves: traveling and Bearded Collies. She was an enthusiastic voyageur, visiting over 30 countries during her lifetime. An ethical breeder of Bearded Collies for over 40 years, Barbara was a long time member of the Bearded Collie Club of America, (once voted Member of The Year) and was their New England rescue coordinator for many years, with over 150 dogs rescued or re-homed. Barbara and her therapy dogs were active volunteers at the Bedford VA Hospital, and twice nominated as Volunteer of the Year.

Barbara is survived by her husband Donald and son Allen (Anne Bickford) of Bedford; grandchildren Nicholas Marshall of NYC, Molly Marshall (Greg Freeburn) of Waltham, and Evan Marshall of Brighton; as well as by her sister Abigail Pereira (John) of Potomac, MD and many nieces and nephews who greatly admired her spirit and determination.

A funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, at St. Michael's Parish of Bedford, MA, with a reception to follow at the Parish Hall. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to METCO, Inc., the Bedford Historical Society, or BCCA Rescue (www.beardedcollieclub.us/rescue).