Obituary of Barbara Joan McIntosh

Barbara Joan McIntosh, 88, Entrepreneur Barbara J. McIntosh co-founder of Affiliated Models and long-time resident of Birmingham died peacefully on August 6th, 2019. Barbara was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 5, 1931 to Howard E. OLeary of Tomah, Wisconsin and Elsie Marshall OLeary, an immigrant from Glasgow, Scotland. She was raised in the suburb of Grosse Pointe. Ms. McIntosh is survived by three of her four beloved children and their families: Aengus McIntosh and his wife Shasta of Lansing, Michigan and their children Mannon, Callum, Havanna, Vaidden, and Durggen; Elizabeth Dalziel and her husband Jeff of Milford, Michigan; and Cameron McIntosh, his son Michael, and great grandson Kade of Eastpointe, Michigan, and her beloved dogs Andy and Charlie. She is also survived by her dear brother (brudder) Howard E. OLeary, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and a host of nieces and nephews in Michigan, California and Washington, along with many dear friends. Her sisters Suzanne OLeary Palms and Annie OLeary Williams predeceased her, as did her son Douglas McIntosh, a well-known architect lauded for his efforts to preserve historic homes and commercial buildings in downtown Detroit. Ms. McIntosh married the late James S. McIntosh, also of Detroit in 1955. One of the biggest joys in her life was adopting and raising their four children as a family before the couple parted ways in 1978. Barbara was educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. She grew up spending her summers in the Les Cheneaux Islands of Michigans Upper Peninsula and continued to visit that area each summer throughout her life. Bringing along family and friends each season has spread her love of the island which she fondly referred to as "a quiet time in space and life". Ms. McIntosh worked as a model for several years and then co-founded Affiliated Models, a Southfield, Michigan, AFTRA/ SAG casting company for models, actors, television and radio performers in the Southeastern Michigan area. The domestic automobile manufacturers used Affiliated Models to cast many of the performers and models needed for the annual Detroit, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Miami auto shows. After retirement, Ms. McIntosh volunteered in numerous capacities and managed the Discovery Shop of the American Cancer Society in Birmingham, Michigan, where she staged fashion shows with the volunteer employees, many of whom were cancer survivors. Tall and stylish, with a sharp intelligence and a quick wit, Ms. McIntosh could have been successful as a standup comedian. She was curious and creative, a talented storyteller and a gifted mimic, intensely artistic and hilariously profane. She was also a loving and generous friend and a fierce advocate for social justice. She worked at the polls to promote local and national Democratic candidates. Barb also rallied the effort to enforce permit parking on her street in Birmingham, much to the dismay of the local brewery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to any charity of your choice, the Humane Society of Michigan or any charity preventing the cruelty and abuse of animals. Join the family to share stories and memories of Barbaras wonderful life. Sunday October 6th, 2019 from 12:00-3:00 pm at Camp Ticonderoga 5725 Rochester Rd, Troy MI 48085. R.S.V.P to Aengus.McIntosh@gmail.com, Lizdalziel5@gmail.com, or McIntosh626@yahoo.com. Please visit the online guestbook a www.cremationmichigan.com