The Irrepressible Marge Baars
By Alice Crann Good / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
On a sultry summer morning, 99-year-old Marge Baars sits at the piano in her parlor playing the heartwarming, nostalgic melody “Try to Remember.”
As her fingers touch the keys, she softly smiles and glances at the framed family photos displayed on top of the Yamaha piano and wall.
“Now, I play for my own pleasure, and when my friends are here, they like all of the ’40s stuff,” said Baars, an image of pure white from head to toe except for the festive print on her white blouse.
“We have a great time!”
Baars, who taught music to youth in the Escambia County School District for three decades, beams with a much larger smile that turns her into a grand, joyful presence.
Regarding her past as a music teacher and long-ago students, Baars said, “The greatest thing that ever happened to me happened at the grocery store when people walked up to me and said ‘Hello, Mrs. Barrineau, or Hello, Mrs. Baars.’ It was wonderful working with children and seeing after all those years that they remembered me.”
Along with an older brother and sister, Baars was raised in rural Selma, Alabama, by her parents — Mary Steen Moorer and Otto Corley Moorer.
Pointing out a watercolor painting near the piano done by her mother, Baars reveals her sharp-witted side.
“My mother was a pianist and an artist, aaaaand she made my father think he was smart.”
Today, the mother, stepmother, grandmother, and great grandmother graciously relives parts of her life as a Moorer, Barrineau and Baars. She has three children in their 50s and 60s — Becky Barrineau Taylor, Chuck Barrineau and Dan Barrineau.
“I came to Pensacola from Alabama in 1946 and never left,” Baars said. “I married Murdock Barrineau in 1948, and we were married for 30 years. I married Theo D. Baars Jr. in 1978, and we were married 30 years.”
While both prominent Northwest Florida businessmen are now deceased, their names continue to live on. It’s common to come across roads, neighborhoods, parks and buildings in the greater Pensacola area bearing the family names.
You can trace the Barrineaus’ and Baars’ land development and holdings/real estate interests back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Maybe even further.
After serving in the Navy during World War II, Theo D. Baars Jr. founded Baars Realty in 1946. Several generations since, the Baars family remains associated with real estate in the Pensacola area.
“I got my real estate license in 1985, and loved it,” Baars said. “We had the Golden Age of real estate. Theo and I both retired in 2005 because of Theo’s health. He passed away in 2008.”
She shared their military connection, too.
“One of our most interesting parts of life together was when Theo was on the board of the Naval Aviation Museum. We were so very of fond of our friends in the Navy.”
It’s clear that Baars is one of those people who is simply predisposed to be more upbeat than many others. She often repeats how she relishes the multiple phases of her life and her involvement in the community that presented new friendships.
“You get different friends, very good friends, in every phase of your life, and I have had so many wonderful friends, so many people who have influenced me,” she said. “I don’t name names because I don’t want to leave anyone out.”
Baars said her “gratitude is unlimited,” and she lives by simple principles.
“Parents must teach children to know God so they will never feel alone,” shared Baars, who devotedly attends Christ Church in downtown Pensacola, an Episcopal congregation. “You must introduce children to the knowledge that there is something greater than you. And you must let children be children.”
Baars briefly reflects on the loss of her 10-year-old son, Murdock M. Barrineau, who died many decades ago, as she makes a point.
“Look at yourself and see where you can do better, and I don’t mean in the mirror,” she advised.
“Your perception of what’s given to you in life and how willing you are to observe what God has given you is everything. How you accept what happens to you, the good and the bad, is so important, especially when you experience loss. Learn from history, but you must move forward, not back. I try to live this way.”
Because time is notoriously fleeting, Baars clearly states she doesn’t have time to waste talking and complaining about politics, politicians and the media. She’s too busy nurturing a positive daily life.
Spotting Baars out and about mollifying her carpe diem attitude is as common as spotting tourists on Pensacola Beach. Some reported sightings:
Tooling down Bayshore Drive in her trusty golf cart to the Pensacola Country Club, where she plays bridge and is known as a super dancer
Playing pool at Seville Quarter (a friend even shared photos)
Chatting it up with New York Times bestselling author Peter Schweizer
Getting her photo taken with celebrity golfer Bubba Watson
Enjoying baby back ribs at Sonny’s BBQ, and dining at The Grand Marlin and Jo’s, as always
And then there’s flying to Dallas to visit family; entertaining at home, including hosting more weekly bridge games; bopping around her neighborhood on her tricycle; and riding her indoor bike 20 minutes a day while reading mysteries.
Sad but true, Baars recently stopped playing golf.
“Oh, I love golf and encourage everyone to play!” said an excited Baars. “I played golf from the 1950s until just about a month ago. It was time to stop so I don’t break a leg. But that’s OK. I still meet up with my friends for drinks after they play.”
Considering she can probably stay warm these days by lighting 99 birthday candles, Baars says she’s relatively healthy.
“I’ve never been on special diets, and I’ve never had to take a lot of medicine,” Baars said. “I think it’s in my genes.”
And she has never bought into the ever-constant, look-younger fads, products and procedures.
“When my hair started getting white, some friends asked me why I didn’t do something about it,” Baars said. “I told them I couldn’t change my hair because then it wouldn’t match the wrinkles on my face!”
Delivering one of her infectious smiles, Baars says she’s always been nonplussed about girly stuff.
“At all of the sleepovers when the girls were doing their nails, I was out riding horses. I loved horses!”
