Lung cancer survivor thankful for family

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By Sandra Baer, Contributing Writer 4:50 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Margaret Barclay, 70, of Washington Twp., said she is very thankful this Thanksgiving for her family, friends and all the doctors who have helped her during her two-year struggle with lung cancer.

Barclay, who was diagnosed in May 2007, has an upbeat attitude and remains active and engaged in her church and community events. She won a medal in November for completing a 5K run sponsored by the National Lung Cancer Partnership to raise funds for lung cancer research and advocacy.

“I’m also very thankful to my long-dead parents for guiding me in the right way,” said Barclay, of her parents, Jim and Donna Klopfer.

Barclay grew up in Piqua and attended Piqua High School, where she was active in Future Teachers of America, played violin in the orchestra and learned to play baritone horn, so she could play in the marching band.

After graduating from high school in 1957, Barclay studied elementary education at Miami University.

“I began teaching in Tipp City after I graduated,” said Barclay, who earned her degree from Miami University in 1962. “Tipp City was a very progressive school district, and I got to do a lot of neat things.”

Barclay met her husband, Roy, after he took a position teaching math in the Tipp City School District. The couple, who have been married for 38 years, moved to Athens, Ohio, so Roy could complete his degree in education at Ohio University. Meanwhile, Barclay taught in the Logan School District.

“It was interesting because we had children of GE executives along with some very poor children from Hocking Hills who had no water at home,” said Barclay, who worked as a reading specialist in the district. “I remember one boy telling me how cold it was the night before, because the family didn’t have heat in the home.”

After Roy completed his degree in 1972, the couple moved to Centerville where Roy took a position as a math teacher at Centerville High School and Barclay taught language arts at Tower Heights Middle School for one year. In 1973, she took leave to stay at home with her son, James, who graduated from Centerville High School in 1991, earned a degree in percussion jazz study form the University of North Texas and currently lives in Chicago with his daughter, Annabelle, 7, where he works as a professional drummer and actor.

In 1974, Barclay returned to work and taught science and math at Tower Heights Middle School before taking a two-year position working with student teachers at the Wright State University Teacher Education Laboratory Center. In 1981, she returned to Hithergreen Middle School where she taught science before moving to Magsig Middle School to work as interim principal for one year. She then taught science for one year at Magsig before being named principal at Normandy Elementary School, a position she held until 1989 when she was named principal of Magsig Middle School.

“I was there when we renovated the building,” said Barclay, who retired with her husband in 2000. “It took a year and half to complete the remodeling, but it was a phenomenal experience and the kids were so cooperative.”

After retiring, Barclay intended to volunteer a little bit with the Centerville Noon Optimist group, but soon found herself volunteering a lot. She is currently the Optimist International Vice President elect, but has served in several other prior Optimist positions including being in charge of International Activities and Junior Optimist Octagon International. Her travels led her to become a founding member of the Fremont Optimist Club.

In May 2007, Barclay woke up with a pain in her rib. After mentioning it to her family doctor during a regularly scheduled visit, she was sent for some medical tests and was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

“My doctor said it’s not operable and it’s not curable, but it is treatable,” said Barclay, who sings in the choir and is active at Southminster Presbyterian Church. “Chemo is my only hope, but I’m still fighting this.”

For more information about the National Lung Cancer Partnership, visit  www.nationallungcancer partnership.org.

Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.

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