Effi Barry Remembered
The Washington Post offers fine play-by-play of mourners paying their respects to Effi Barry today at the Wilson Building. Unlike H.R. Crawford's incredibly lame recent Q-and-A on the Post's Web site, the reporters actually found people who had interesting stories about the woman who endured so much public and private pain.
What can also be said is this: Effi Barry was by far the coolest of Marion Barry's wives. Mary Treadwell became a crook. And let's face it, Cora wasn't any reporter's idea of a good time. Sure, she could be polite. But, shit, Cora staring out from behind her sunglasses could be a little intimidating. She did, though, get her tennis center in Southeast, which we have to admit is an amazing facility.
But Effi Barry wins easily. She could at least count a Supreme as a friend. And she put up with her husband's bullshit with dignity, as everyone has said. She didn't parlay her link to his scandals into lucrative book deals or tons of publicity. She simply left for university life. When she finally did return to the city, in part coyly helping Barry win election to the city council, she didn't end up in a sweeping mansion. She ended up as a District government employee.
So it's nice to see people honoring her. Even if one of those people is her former husband. Funeral services are Friday at 11 a.m. at the National Cathedral.
7:46 pm
Yep, Effi Barry endured a lot. Marion should have had the decency to have stayed away from this affair when he brought so much Hell into her life.
2:59 am
Yeah right, how bout you keep the negative comment to yourself Dallas! Marion and Ms. Effi Barry come from a time you would know nothing about "I'M SURE", she reaked of class, pizaaz and dignity! She always took the high road, so with that said, why should someone who essentially MADE her what she became INDECENTLY stay away?
4:08 pm
MARIONBERRY IS AN ARROGANT CRACKHEAD LOSER & NEVER DESERVED CLASSY EFFI !!!
4:58 pm
We all could learn a lesson from Effi Barry:
She was a person of tremendous honesty, dignity, poise, grace, forgiveness, strength etc.
Bottom line: She did not project negative energy. I am certain that it is because she knew how counterproductive it is to give life to negative thoughts.
That is why she was at peace in life, in decline and, now, in heaven with God.
I did not know her personally, however, I had opportunity to be in her presence three times. Once while we were patrons in line checking-out books at a public library; once when I went to her place of employment as a client, and once at an innaugural event.
In each instance, she did not know who I was. In each instance, she showed me tremendous respect. In each instance, she reminded me of the type of person we should all strive to be:
Genuine, Respectful, Caring, Productive, and Honorable.
May God bless her soul, always!
I choose not to critise Marion Barry. After al