Educator, Benefactor, Author,
Dies At 81 <! >
Amy Thomas Barker, 81, educator, benefactor and author, died after a fall at her home in Kensington, MD., on December 11, 2001.
She was the widow of prominent Washington attorney Robert W. Barker, who cofounded and was senior partner of the firm of Wilkinson, Barker and Knauer of Washington, DC, for many years.
Mrs. Barker was born in Salt Lake City and was a graduate of the University of Utah, where she met Mr. Barker, of Ogden, Utah. They married in 1941. After his distinguished military service in Europe during World War II, the couple moved to Washington, DC, where Mr. Barker graduated first in his law school class at Georgetown University and practiced law. Concurrently Mrs. Barker worked on Capitol Hill, and contributed to the society column in Salt Lake's newspapers. Mrs. Barker had been an elementary school teacher in Salt Lake before their move to the East.
The Barkers were active in leadership capacities in the LDS Church. They were instrumental in establishing the Washington, D.C. Temple, where they served as temple president and matron until the time of Mr. Barker's death in 1987. Mrs. Barker held many positions in the church that reflected her love and interest in both the arts and service. She served currently on the Cultural Arts Committee at the LDS Temple Visitor's Center and had served as President of the Relief Society of her ward and cultural arts teacher.
Well-known for her love and support of the arts, she was honored last year with the naming of a museum-gallery at Brigham Young University as the Amy T. Barker gallery.
Currently President of the local chapter of the Daughter of the Utah Pioneers, Mrs. Barker was a past president of the Women's Club of Kensington. She was active in local charities, serving as President of the Over 60 Counseling and Employment Service, in Head Start and Meals on Wheels.
Last year, Mrs. Barker also completed a biography of her husband, Robert.
She is survived by one daughter, Amy B. Wilson, of Bethesda, MD, and four of her five sons: Paul Thomas, of Gaithersbury, MD, Philip D. of Alpine, UT, Jeffrey C., of Ridgeland, SC, and Brian T. of Arlington, VA. Robert W. Jr. died in 2000. She also leaves 19 grandchildren and one sister, Gloria Peterson, of Salt Lake City.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 17 at the LDS Church in Kensington, MD. Memorial contributions may be made in her to the following charities: Over-60 Counseling, 4700 Norwood Dr., Chevy Chase, MD 20815, and to SOME, So Others Might Eat, 71 O St., NW, Washington DC 20001.