Regina Barker-Barzel, of Arlington, died of cancer on Oct. 24.
Regina fought to overcome the difficulties of the cancer and treatment by her continual study of art and the creation of beautiful paintings, prints and enamels.
Regina was born in Leningrad, USSR, on Jan. 24, 1945, into an
intellectual family, the daughter of Professor Nikolai Poletika and Tamara Natansohn-Eisenberg. Regina was descended from the illustrious Poletika (Poletyka) family of Ukraine and held noble status in the Russian Nobility Association.
Regina earned a bachelor’s degree in music and received her teaching
credentials at the Glinka Musical School of Minsk and master’s degrees in Russian language and Russian and Soviet literature at the Gorki Pedagogical Institute in Minsk. Due to her political views, Regina was prevented from defending her doctoral dissertation and subsequently became involved with the underground movement.
Regina escaped the Soviet Union in 1972, bringing microfilm information that was useful for the United States and Israel. After gaining asylum in Austria, Regina moved to Israel and began studies as an opera singer at the Rubin Academy of Music.
During the 1973 War, Regina helped to organize a musical ensemble that gave concerts to the Israeli forces on the front lines. She met and married her husband in Israel, and shortly thereafter they moved to Ireland.
After becoming a citizen of the United States, Regina started work at the Central Intelligence Agency and later as a consultant to the State
Department.
In 2000, Regina and her family settled in Arlington, where Regina was active in the local art scene, being a member of many local art leagues and organizations and exhibiting her work at Falls Church Arts, Del Ray Artisans, the Torpedo Factory and the Hermitage Gallery in McLean.
Regina is survived by her mother, Tamara Poletica; her husband, William Barker; her children, Raphael Barker, Veronica Barker-Barzel Kelly and Elena Barker Kerrincks; and a grandson, Dov.
Contributions may be made to Volunteers for Israel (vfi-usa.org) and the FBCTOF (Jewish), 5950 12th St. Ste. 101, Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-5539.
