BARBARA BELL BRISCH
10/24/1941 - 09/23/2023
Barbara Bell Brisch, beloved wife of Curtis and devoted mother of Michael and Allen, peacefully passed away on September 23, 2023, with family by her side. She leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to her family.
Born in Houston on October 24, 1941, Barbara and her family soon moved to Dallas, where she grew up happily in the Park Cities community. She was a proud graduate of Highland Park High School and later continued her studies at Oklahoma State University, where she developed her interest in education. In college, she followed in the footsteps of her mother and sister by joining the Delta Zeta sorority.
In 1966, Barbara married the love of her life, Walter Curtis Brisch, and began a life in Houston. The young family was blessed with two sons, Michael and Allen, and Barbara embraced her role as a wife and mother with unwavering devotion, always putting her family’s needs above her own. Barbara’s love and guidance shaped her sons into the compassionate, hardworking men they are today. Barbara was a devoted wife of Curtis for 47 years, caring for him as he struggled in the final years of his life in 2013.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Barbara ensured that faith played an important role in their family life. From the early 1970’s, she and Curtis were faithful members of St. John’s Presbyterian Church, where they were both ordained as Elders and where both sons were active in the youth program. Activities at St. John’s were the centerpiece of family life, and Barbara formed many wonderful friendships in their church community.
Outside of church, Barbara was also active for decades with the Houston Highland Games Association. After her own children were grown, she channeled her passion for early childhood education into helping young children in Westbury, which she called home for 50 years. Never idle, she always found ways to engage wherever her talents could help. Barbara gave every endeavor her full effort and expected others to do the same. Barbara’s family and friends will always cherish the strength of her love and devotion.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter Curtis Brisch, her parents, Claude Allen Bell and Stella Cash Bell, and her sister Julia Bell Biegler. She is survived by her sons and their families: Michael Brisch and wife Karen, and their sons Alec Brisch and Charlie Brisch, and Allen Brisch and wife Leena, and their daughter Divya Brisch.
Barbara’s family is deeply grateful for the loving care she received at Silverado - Hermann Park Memory Care Community, where she was a resident for over 3 years, and also for the support and friendship of her extraordinary care manager, Sharona Jacobs with Elder Advisory Group. A private memorial service will be held on September 28, 2023, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas, where she will be laid to rest next to her parents. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in her honor to the Dementia Society of America.