On June 1, Dr. Frances Marlene Barron (née Bass) of New York at 83. She is survived by three children, Leslie Barron, Jeffrey Barron and Joshua Fetzer; seven grandchildren, Sarah Gershen, Alexander Gershen, Benjamin Gershen, Zachary Barron, Sean Barron, Michael Barron and Rachel Zimmerman; and great-grandchildren Hailey and Ruby Zimmerman. She was predeceased by parents Lillian Sklar and Alexander Bass, and sister Dolly Bass. She grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Forest Park High School in 1955. She moved to New York City where she began her professional career as an educator after graduating from Barnard College. A life-long learner and teacher, Marlene earned her master’s degree in social psychology from Hunter College and later earned her Ph.D. in emergent literacy from New York University, where she also spent 24 years as a professor in early childhood education and founded the NYU Montessori Project. In 1964, Marlene discovered her life’s passion — Montessori education. As a young parent, she founded Staten Island Montessori, where she served as its director. Marlene moved to West Side Montessori School in 1979 and served as the head of school until her first attempt at retirement in 2007.
Contributions may be sent to The New York State Montessori Alliance.
