Barbara Lindsey Nassif

Born in Niotaze, Kansas on November 20, 1914
Departed on August 21, 2007. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Barbara Louise Lindsey Nassif was born on November 20, 1914 in Niotaze, Kansas. Her parents were James Sankey Lindsey and Hortense Ryden Lindsey. Barbara had an older brother, Hugh Victor Lindsey, a younger brother, James Ryden Lindsey of Anamosa, and a younger sister, Mary Pauline Miles of Cedar Rapids.

Barbara graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, studied with the Woodbury School of Design, and attended classes at Coe College and the University of Iowa. She studied painting with various Midwest artists, including Marvin Cone and others. Barbara was an expert seamstress and worked in the fashion departments of various department stores. Her designs and drawings were featured in local publications. During World War II, Barbara taught painting for the Red Cross at the Shick Veteran's Hospital in Clinton. She also taught art classes from her home in Cedar Rapids and gave talks on "Anyone Can Paint" and "Painting Is Fun" to educational and social groups, including the Jane Boyd Community Center. In 1946, her play, "Centennial Sampler" celebrating the centennial of Iowa statehood won first prize given by the Iowa chapter of the National League of American Pen Women.

Barbara married M. Morey Nassif on May 16, 1937. Together, the couple opened the Iowa Floor Covering Company in Cedar Rapids, which Barbara continued to operate as long as possible during her husband's nearly three-year war service. The couple had two children: Patricia Nassif Acton, a lawyer and educator and spouse, Richard, Lord Acton; and Robert Lindsey Nassif, a musical theater composer and educator.

The Iowa Floor Covering Company later expanded to include interior design services and was called Nassif's Interiors, located at the corner of First Avenue and 15th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. Barbara became a well-known interior designer in the Midwest region. She gave numerous talks about decorating and was a member of the American Society of Interior Designers A.S.I.D. Nassif's Interiors became known for an innovation called "Old House," a three-story house that featured Barbara's designs in every room. Nassif's Interiors was sold after Morey's passing in 1971.

Barbara was an avid student of the bible and biblical history. She gave talks to civic, social, and religious groups about her bible collection and on the subject of Archeology and the bible. For over thirty years, she was in the public ministry of Christian Science in Cedar Rapids. Barbara loved to travel, and her travels took her to such places as the Middle East and Russia. At various times in her life, Barbara was active in many local clubs and organizations, including the Cedar Rapids Women's Club, the P.T.A., the Women's Committee of the Cedar Rapids Symphony, Zeta Phi Eta an honorary speech organization, the Mayflower Chapter of the D.A.R., the Priscilla Alden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists, and the B.E.A.R. Book Club. She was a lifetime member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cedar Rapids, and The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

It was Barbara's wish there be no services.

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