Marcia (Kennedy) Albuck-Barker

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Marcia Albuck-Barker announces her passing on August 14, 2021 at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village, IL. Her beloved husband Mert Barker was with her until the end. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her loving kindness and beautiful smile.

Marica was born to Joanne Margaret (Woodhouse) and Starrett Clark Kennedy on August 27, 1946 in Troy, New York. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Wilmington, Delaware in 1965. She had two children who she deeply loved and cared for:  Captain Troy J. Albuck (Ret.) and Shari Lynn Williams, both of Barrington, IL. Near the end of her deep involvement in her children’s lives she decided with great determination to return to college.

She took on the extraordinary task of completing her Bachelor’s degree, so she could get her Master’s and Doctorate in Psychology. After completing her degrees, Marcia was hired in 1997, as a post Doctoral Resident at Allandale Residential Care and Treatment, Lake Villa, Illinois. She eventually attained her favorite position as the therapist for a cottage of young residents who had severe mental and emotional problems. She was a fierce advocate for these residents and their families. She loved mentoring new staff. She was highly regarded for her creative therapeutic work and commitment to the children and the Allandale staff and program until she retired in 2019.  While at Allendale, she made many lifelong friends who will dearly miss her and her wonderful summer barbeques.

Marcia celebrated most holidays with wonderful large family dinners. Christmas was the biggest occasion with every Christmas having its own theme and decorations. This was a tradition that she learned from her Mother. The themes which appealed to the young and old were ideas like The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, and the Wizard of Oz. And, of course, her doll collection always had a role to play. The highlight of the decorations was always the mantel piece that Marcia and Shari created. And Santa Claus always came with presents for everyone who would sit on his lap.

At her core, Marcia loved her family. Her warm and generous spirit was evident in the care she extended to her younger siblings, her children and her grandchildren. She also provided loving homecare for her mother in the last year of her life.

She also loved the natural world that surrounded her wonderful home and flower gardens, as well as music and Impressionism. She also was an accomplished sportswoman and engaged in challenging sports with great verve including scuba diving, competitive horse jumping and downhill skiing.

Marcia was predeceased by her parents:  Joanne M. and Starrett C. Kennedy. She is survived by her loving, grief stricken, husband Mert Barker. She is also survived by her heartbroken children and their families:  Captain Troy J. Albuck(Ret.); his wife, Valerie R. Albuck and their sons: Alexander Fox Albuck and Brennen Bickford Albuck; and Shari Lynn Williams; her husband, Phillip D. Williams; their children: Skyler Kennedy Albuck, and Cyan Jane Williams. Her siblings who are missing her dearly, are Gail R. (Thomas) Bisio of Wilmington, DE; Bruce C. (Carman Ramos) Kennedy of Asheville, NC; and Deborah J. (Dale) Kennedy-Larson of San Jose, CA. Her six nieces and nephews will also miss her.

In lieu of flowers the family would like each of you to consider what unmet need in the world that the Marcia that you knew would like you to help now that she cannot.

Services for Marcia were held privately.