Obituary of Louise Barish

Louise Barish died in home hospice on January 27 at age 99, still healthy until just before the end.

She was a Denver native, the fifth of seven daughters born to Belle (Leopold) and Ben Perlmutter. Though uncommon for the time, like the rest of her sisters, she was college-educated, first at Colorado Women’s College and then at the University of Colorado, where she received her Nursing degree.

That background would take her on a 52-year journey as a nurse, from St. Anthony’s Denver to still practicing at Denver General Hospital at age 74. Her training took her to New York City and Baltimore. At Johns Hopkins, she once worked as a scrub nurse with cardiac surgery pioneer Alfred Blalock. Jonas Salk showed her and three colleagues around Chicago, after meeting at a conference in Evergreen. In addition, she served as the Medical Director at Prestressed Concrete, a Denver manufacturer, in other medical roles, and taught at Front Range Community College.

Louise married Marvin Barish in 1949 and had three children over the next 10+ years. She was a grandmother of six and great-grandmother of four. Having never learned to swim herself, she was insistent that her children learn and then enjoy the water. Her cakes and cheesecakes were legends within the large extended family and among friends, and she made a fantastic roast duck.

She was also long active with the Hebrew Educational Alliance Synagogue, and Mizrachi Women of Denver. Fortunately, her beloved Broncos started off on Sundays: She religiously attended games through the 2020-21 season.

She was a lifelong music lover, which she passed along in full to her children. She whistled while standing at the kitchen window, sang in choirs throughout her early life, and attended and enjoyed musical theater for many years. She was involved for decades in the Colorado Symphony Guild as both a member and officer. True to her time, she played Pan, Mah Jong, and Bridge, and she and Marv used to visit Las Vegas every once in a while to gamble and enjoy a show.

Service is private. Shiva and condolence calls are at Louise's home at Windsor Gardens: 695 S. Alton Way #5B, Denver CO 80247 on Wednesday, 2/1 and Thursday, 2/2, from 4pm to 8pm with minyan at 6pm both days.

Donations in her name can go to the Colorado Symphony Guild.