Barbara Marcus Desenberg died Friday, Feb. 5, 2010, in Houston, Texas. Born July 3, 1938, in Vicksburg, she was the daughter of the late Isadore Marcus and Rosalie Preis Marcus. She attended Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans.

Barbara was active in numerous charities, including the Houston Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Ballet, the Houston Opera and Congregation Beth Israel Sisterhood. Barbara will always be remembered for her Southern charm, beauty and dignity, as well as for her graciousness and generosity. People enjoyed being with Barbara and those who met her never forgot her.

She is survived by her brother, Richard Marcus and his wife, Leslie; four children, Dana Desenberg and her husband, David Jones, Julie Desenberg Eisen, John Desenberg and Douglas Desenberg; and eight grandchildren, Emily Wheeler and her husband, Jeff, Eric Eisen, Haley Desenberg, Max Desenberg, Kyle Desenberg, Ryder Desenberg, Hope Desenberg and Daily Desenberg.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at Anshe Chesed Cemetery in Vicksburg with Rabbi Marshall Klaven officiating. Visitation will be at Riles Funeral Home from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the service. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Houston at a future date.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Seven Acres Jewish Care and Mrs. Desenberg’s caregivers, Corlethia Edwards and Jean Sylvester, for their care and compassion.

The family requests charitable donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Lone Star Chapter, 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77054 or to charities of their choice.