Barbara Schonfeld

Obituary of Barbara Schonfeld

SCHONFELD, Barbara March 7, 1929-September 12, 2011 Barbara (Hurwitz) Schonfeld, sweet, kind, loving mother, grandmother and friend died peacefully on Monday at her home in Santa Barbara. She passed away with her family by her side after a brave yet frustrating battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Barbara grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, daughter of David and Bertha, younger sister of Maynard. Her family relocated to San Diego in 1946 just after her graduation from Roosevelt High School. She went on to attend San Diego State College classes in nursing before transferring to the University of California Santa Barbara to complete coursework in dietetics toward her goal of becoming a dietician. She graduated from UCSB in 1950, one of 20 women in the Class of Dietetics and worked at internships at Scripps Metabolic Clinic in La Jolla, La Jolla Hospital, San Diego Public Health, Children's Hospital in Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Hospital. She continued to pursue her goal of, in her words, "helping people live better lives" as a dietician and worked at the Long Beach VA Hospital, Casa Colina and small hospitals and nursing homes. She and Harry retired in 1989 but her commitment to good health and nutrition continued throughout her life. Harry and Barbara raised their family of five children in Pomona and Claremont, California, becoming founders of Temple Beth Israel and serving as Jewish community leaders for decades. Barbara was a mainstay in her Claremont neighborhood, talking daily walks every day during which she would say hello to neighbors on every single street and eventually leading to her knowledge of the news, life happenings, family history and pets of almost every house within a three mile radius. Following the passing of her husband after 52 years of marriage, and countless adventures, cruises, trips and explorations throughout the world together, Barbara embarked on her biggest adventure, fulfilling her dream of living in Santa Barbara to where she moved in 2004. She became an active member of the Congregation B'nai B'rith community, attending services every Friday night, volunteering at temple events throughout Santa Barbara and spending time as a big buddy to preschool children at the temple preschool. Barbara loved her Maravilla casita and community, playing bridge every Friday afternoon and taking part in any excursion, adventure and cultural offering she could. She continued her daily walks, accompanied by her loyal dog Gidget and chatted happily with everyone along the way. Nothing was more important to Barbara than her family. She personified unconditional love and was the kind of wife and mother that everyone wants to be and to have. She was also a most proud grandma. She attended the college and high school graduations of each of her graduating grandchildren, was a constant presence at countless dance recitals, piano concerts, soccer and water polo games, birthday parties and weddings. She adored her 11 grandchildren and delighted in the giggles and activities of her two great-grandchildren. Barbara had a uniquely sincere love for others and unwavering support for helping humanity in any way she could. She was a lifetime volunteer, an honest, kind, charitable, loving and caring woman to all, who truly lived her life gratified by the many gifts she was able to give to her family, friends and those in need. Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Harry and her eldest child Rochelle (Shelly) Mason. She is survived by her children Ben, Ken, Debbie Barker-Benfield and Judi Koper; son-in-laws Jim Mason, Michael Barker-Benfield and Alex Koper II, daughters-in-law Karen Schonfeld and Roxanne Schonfeld, grandchildren Sarah Z'berg (Matt), David Mason (Toni), Bradley Schonfeld, Tami Schonfeld, Jessica Johnson (Noah), Sasha Schonfeld, Matthew Barker-Benfield, Daniel Barker-Benfield, Alex Koper III (Amanda), Rose Koper and Hannah Koper and two great-grandsons, Harrison Z'berg and Stein Mason; cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends throughout the world. A private burial will take place at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, and a celebration of her life will also be held at Maravilla at a time to be announced. In lieu of flowers , Barbara's family requests that donations be made to Congregation B'nai B'rith in Santa Barbara, where she shared so many joyful evenings and was welcomed with open arms into a wonderful community or to the Santa Barbara Muscular Dystrophy Association--ALS Division, to support their research efforts.
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