In Memory

Barbara Gish (Perkins)

BARBARA ANNE, 51, died on Wednesday, October 20, at her home in Dallas. She was the cherished only child of Wayne and Bettye Gish of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. She attended Amarillo College and Texas Women's University, where she received a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in library science. Her first library employment was with the Amarillo Public Library, under the direction of lifelong friend Barbara Rhodes. After working at the Dallas Public Library for several years, she joined the staff of the Irving Public Library. Over the course of her career, she developed an unparalleled knowledge of all types of fiction and literature, as well as a mastery of reader's advisory service. Many of her library patrons became great personal friends. She retired in September 2003 to her "little house" in Hot Springs Village. She returned to librarianship as Library Director for the City of Sachse in April. An avid lover of books, cats, hats, and cross-stitch, she is survived by her parents, her dear friend John Harvey, and her cat, Kumquat Perkins, as well as an extended family and a large circle of loving friends. She was preceded in death by her best friend Marilyn Vaughan, and her wonderful cat of 21 years, B.C. Perkins. Donations to the Cancer Center at Baylor Healthcare Irving or the ASPCA. Published on www.dallasnews.com on Oct. 24, 2004.