By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Barbara "Babs" Stark Marcus, proprietor of Lagniappe, an antiques shop in Wyoming that became a gathering place for women in the 1960s, died April 11 at her residence in Carmel, Calif. She was 80.

Mrs. Marcus loved fabrics and antiques and was an accomplished textile artist. She created quilts, rugs, baskets and children's clothes.

"She was always on the lookout in gardens and in nature for inspiration for creating interesting items, " said her son, Richard A. Ach of Prescott, Ariz. "Even after moving to Carmel Valley in 1973, she continued to support the Cincinnati Zoo by making unique necklaces and brooches for their gift shop from the molted feathers of exotic birds the zoo sent her."

Mrs. Marcus ran Lagniappe, which she co-owned with her husband, Richard F. Marcus. The name is Creole and means "a little something extra."

"The shop became a kind of salon - a gathering place of spirited women," her son said.

Mrs. Marcus was born in Cincinnati on Dec. 22, 1923, to Dr. John Stark and Louise Johnson. She was an accomplished horsewoman who once rode and jumped in a competition at Madison Square Garden.

She graduated from Bennington College in Vermont in 1945.

After the death of her daughter Toni Louise Ach Lowenthal in 1982, Mrs. Marcus threw herself into volunteering at Hospice of the Central Coast. In 2002, the Monterey Herald recognized her as an outstanding senior volunteer for her 18 years of work.

"I'm doing something I love," she said at the time.

In addition to her son Richard, survivors include her husband of 40 years, Richard; another son, Jonathon J. Ach of San Leandro, Calif.; a daughter, Belinda "Lindy" Ach of Pacific Grove, Calif.; a stepson, Peter F. Marcus of East Walnut Hills; a stepdaughter, Sally Marcus Garrett of Laguna Beach, Calif.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Services have been held. Mrs. Marcus requested that her remains be cremated and cast into the Pacific Ocean.

Memorials: Hospice House, 100 Barnet Segal Lane, Monterey, CA 93940 or the SPCA of Monterey County, P.O. Box 3058, Monterrey, CA 93942.