Barbara L. Markert 84, formerly of New Jersey and Florida passed away Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at Mountainside Nursing Home.

Barbara was born on July 31, 1932 in Weehawken, New Jersey, the daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Fisch who immigrated to this country from Switzerland, Elizabeth (1904) and Walter (1913).

Barbara's heritage she was so very proud of. Her trips to Switzerland were some of her most memorable experiences.

As a young lady she was accomplished pianist. She was the organist for St. Steven's Episcopal Church in Coytesville, New Jersey and was recorded while playing with the Chansoneers.

Barbara graduated from Dwight Marrow High School, Englewood, New Jersey in 1951 and went on to get an Associates Degree in Secretarial Science from Cazanovia College in 1953.

After college she worked as a Secretary for the Televison station ABC, it was on a trip to the Round-Up Ranch in Downsville where she met her husband, Charles "Doc" Markert. They were married on August 17, 1958. They spent Monday- Friday in their beautiful Victorian home in Ridgefield Park, where she would on occasion assist Doc with his patients and even helped with an operation or two right downstairs in his office where he practiced out of his home. Every Friday and Saturday was spent at Doc's beloved dude ranch in Downsville. Barbara soon became the Manager of the Gift Shop, and perhaps, that is where she developed her love for shopping. Whether it was items for the gift shop or her beautiful home, it was clothes shopping she loved the most and it showed. She was always classy, glamorous, sophisticated and dressed to the tee.

After Doc died she bought a place in Singer Island, Florida and spent the majority of her time there. She loved the beach and the warm Florida sunshine.

Barbara's favorite thing was when family got together. She and her brother Bobbie, and her companion, Charles Medwick would make music and reminisce of the old times. She adored her son Tommy and grandson Thomas and was always eager to hear of their new projects and proud of all their accomplishments.

She always bragged about Tommy's beautiful Old Schoolhouse Restaurant. Probably the only regret she had in her life was that Tommy was not given the opportunity to carry on the Round Up Ranch tradition, as she knew Doc had loved the place.

She loved spending time with and taking care of Thomas, and especially enjoyed their special trips to Florida.

In her later years, while in Florida she would volunteer at the local SPCA walking the dogs and helping with their care. Her compassion for dogs spurred her to raise one of Tommy's Border Collie pups, Harley. He was mostly a city dog, not a cow dog, and was her faithful friend.

She spent much time reading and passed on valuable information to all those around her.

She is survived by her son, Tommy and Julie Markert, grandson, Thomas Markert II, brother, Robert Fisch, niece, Michele and Chris Gunther, longtime companion, Charles Medwick, step daughter, Barbara and Jack Black, step grandchildren, Theresa and Jack Galvin, Linda and Dean Daghita, Renee and Jeremy Chapman, Jessica and Joe Bauldauf, and their families. She was predeceased by her husband, "Doc" Charles Markert, her sister in law, Barbara Fisch, and her stepson, Charles "Charlie" Markert.

Friends and family are invited to call on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Courtney Funeral Home, 25 Townsend Street, Walton where services will be held at 1 PM with the Rev. Michael Shank, officiating. Burial will follow in the Paige Cemetery, Downsville.

Memorial Contributions in Barbara's memory may be made to Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, New York 13820.