Barbara Martin Centlivre Stevens

Barbara Martin Centlivre Stevens, 86, Topeka, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Friday, December 11, 2015, at Midland Care Hospice. Barbara was born March 24, 1929, in Columbia MO, the daughter of Alfred “Rocke” and Dorothy Branham Martin. Her parents were actors in the 1920s and her mother sang on the radio until 1936. Barb loved music and sang on the “President” riverboat in the 1940s and acted in productions on a showboat in St. Louis. Barbara married Robert Centlivre (deceased) in 1948. They later divorced. From 1981 to 1988, she lived in Shreveport LA, where she met Raymond “Steve” Stevens (deceased) and they married in 1984. Barb was active in Girl Scouting for 14 years as a neighborhood chairman, troop organizer and trained Girl Scout leaders for camping. She was the leader of Troop 272 at Holy Name School. She was past president of Kan Kan Chapter of American Business Women of America, was a member of the St. Patrick’s Day Committee, Women of the Moose and Walkers and Talkers. She was a friend of KTWU and the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Barb was active in the Democratic Party, starting with George Docking and continued through Bill Roy and Kathleen Sebelius. Barb noted that back then, “When you were born in Missouri, you were spanked a Democrat.” Barb’s career was in women’s retail clothing. She began at Jane Lee’s on Kansas Avenue at the age of 15. She worked at Fashionaire on Gage Blvd. in 1968, then Rosie’s Show Off and Seifert’s. She relocated to Shreveport and stayed active as a clothing buyer for women’s ready to wear. In 1989, in Liberty MO, she established a business women's boutique called Donly & Company. Barb retired in 1990 and returned to Topeka. She enjoyed traveling, singing, reading and being with friends and family. She liked to play Rummikub, pitch, and Hand and Foot. She loved life, loved her family and her friends. Survivors include her children, Cheryl Thomas (Jim) Lyndon KS, Gary Centlivre (Becky) Topeka, Karen Osborn (Randy) Topeka, Kevin Centlivre, Largo FL and Nancy Centlivre Becker (Phil) KCMO; step-children, Dr. Doris Davenport, Clarksville TN and Danny Jo Stevens, Clarksville TN; step-brother, George Wiley (Lillian) Dallas TX; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Marjorie Miller. Barb’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Most Pure Heart of Mary Church or Midland Care Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Barbara Martin Centlivre Stevens

March 24, 1929 - December 11, 2015