* Roberta L. Thomas Barragar; Popular Pierce Art Instructor

Roberta L. Thomas Barragar, an art instructor at Pierce College for more than 30 years, has died after suffering a stroke and a heart attack. She was 76.

Barragar was passionate about teaching and continued as a Pierce faculty member to the very end. She collapsed at home while preparing to leave for work and died later at an area hospital, according to her partner of 24 years, Howard Spellman.

Barragar was a popular instructor who specialized in Asian art, drawing and design, her colleagues said. She was also known around campus for her graciousness and stylish clothing.

Born in Los Angeles, Barragar studied fashion design at UCLA and earned a master’s degree in fine arts from the Otis Institute of Art. She began teaching at Pierce College in 1966, officially retired in 1997 but returned to campus to continue teaching part time as an instructor emeritus.

“She created a unique and nurturing environment in her classes,” said Howell Pinkston, a longtime colleague in Pierce’s art department.

Her Woodland Hills house was filled with her students’ paintings and drawings. “That was her life--her students,” Spellman said.

Besides Spellman, she is also survived by a cousin, Harriet Nellands of West Los Angeles.

A memorial service for Barragar will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. in Glendale.