SAN DIEGO, Calif.-Eleonora Margaret Barson, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend died on March 3, 2010 of cancer. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her and benefited from her friendship, support, wise and understanding counsel, and love.

Eleonora was born Eleonora Buta in Salem, Ohio, the oldest of four children of Romanian immigrants John and Margaret Buta. She was fortunate to grow up in Salem, where the community provided good schools and a nurturing environment for the arts. Eleonora's first love was music and it remained her lifelong passion. She began voice lessons at an early age and won many voice competitions and performed at numerous functions throughout Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In 1950, Eleonora married John Barson, a resident of Dearborn, Mich. She moved to Michigan and had three children, John, Tom and Nora. In 1965, Eleonora received her Bachelor's of Art in Special Education Summa Cum Laude after attending Michigan State University under full scholarship. She initially taught school, but while pursuing a Masters degree at Michigan State she was asked to run a university research program to test blind children at the Michigan School for the Blind. One of the children she tested was Stevie Wonder.

In the early 1970's Eleonora moved with her husband to Tulsa, Okla., after he was recruited by the Oklahoma legislature to found and develop a medical college. Eleonora was integral to the building and success of the school through her work with the Tulsa community, especially the Tulsa Opera and Tulsa Philharmonic. She was president of the six hundred member Tulsa Opera Guild and one thousand member Tulsa Philharmonic Women's Association. She participated significantly in fund raising, coordinating activities for the opera cast, and her favorite program - the opera education outreach program to the schools. She visited the schools, explaining the opera's story to the children, allowing them to try on the costumes she brought with her. Because of her vocal ability, she was able to perform the arias from the operas, which was always a hit with the children. Due to her extensive work with the Tulsa Opera, the New York Metropolitan Opera selected her as a Director for their Central U.S. Regional Opera Auditions. Many of the performers who passed through her program have gone on to successful careers in opera around the world. Eleonora's involvement with the opera and symphony allowed her the opportunity to be a gracious host to the musical performers and cast members who visited Tulsa, providing them with a home away from home. Notable performers she hosted and befriended include Beverly Sills, Samuel Ramey, Arthur Fiedler, and Luciano Pavarotti.

In 1986, Eleonora and John moved to San Diego, Calif. Once again she was able to indulge her passion for music as a member of the La Jolla Opera Guild and Symphony. And as if in an encore performance, Eleonora was selected by the New York Metropolitan Opera to be the Director of the San Diego Opera Auditions. She was also very active in the Scripps Ranch Women's Club, Scripps Ranch Welcome Club, and the International Dining group.

Eleonora is survived by sons Dr. COL (ret) John V. Barson, DO, MPH with the FAA in Atlanta, Ga., and his wife Gay Lynn, Dr. Thomas R. Barson, MD, an anesthesiologist in Las Vegas, Nev., and his wife Carroll; daughter Eleonora (Nora) M. Barson, JD, an attorney in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., and her husband Mitch; grandchildren Brian, Jenna, Michael, John Kenneth and Catherine; sister Dolores Buta Wilkins and husband Stephen of Salem, Ohio; brothers John Buta of Salem, Ohio, Richard Buta and wife Marianne of McLean, Va.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home in Salem. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery. A Celebration of Eleonora's Life will be held in San Diego, Calif., on March 20, 2010.

In 2006, Eleonora established in a medical school scholarship in memory of her husband John Barson. Her children are in the process of having this scholarship renamed to include both John and Eleonora's names. Those wishing to make donations in Eleonora's memory may do so to: OSU Foundation, John Barson Scholarship, 1111 West 17th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74107.

3/10/10

(Paid obituary)